'The structure of the European economy needs to change more quickly,' says IMF Europe chief Mateusz Szczurek

Updated: 13 November 2026 - 9:28 GMT+1 Europe's economy is facing a dangerous combination of challenges: sluggish growth, mounting public debt and rising borrowing costs. As sovereign bond yields put pressure on government finances, Europe's ability to invest in its future is increasingly in question. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, deep-rooted structural weaknesses – from poor productivity to a lack of competitiveness – continue to hold the continent back. What needs to change to get Europe back on track? Stefan Grobe put this question to Mateusz Szczurek, head of the IMF's European Department.