ALGIERS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has raised its forecast for Algeria's economic growth in 2026 to 3.7 percent, according to its latest bulletin on the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) region.

The new forecast for real GDP growth is 0.2 percentage points higher than the bank's January projection. Algeria is one of three countries in the MENAAP region whose growth forecasts have been revised upward, reflecting improved economic prospects.

Higher export revenues are expected to improve Algeria's external balance, with the current account deficit projected to narrow significantly to 2.4 percent of GDP in 2026 from 5.9 percent in 2025.

For the MENAAP region as a whole, GDP growth is projected at 1.8 percent in 2026, excluding Iran because of insufficient data, marking a downward revision of 2.4 percentage points compared to earlier estimates. The region recorded a growth rate of 4 percent in 2025. ■