The spread of Covid-19 vaccines will power a stronger global economic recovery in 2021, the International Monetary Fund has forecast.

After sinking 3.5 per cent in 2020, the worst year since World War II, the global economy will grow 5.5pc this year, the 190-country lending organisation predicted, according to AP.

The new figure for 2021 is an upgrade from the 5.2pc expansion the IMF forecast in October and would mark the fastest year of global growth since the 2010 snapback from the financial crisis.

The vaccines should contain the spread of the virus and allow governments around the world to ease lockdowns and encourage a return to normal economic activity.

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