Gita Gopinath to Exit IMF in August, Set to Return to Harvard as Economics Professor

Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will step down from her position at the end of August 2025, the global financial body confirmed. She will return to Harvard University to assume a prestigious academic role as the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics.

Gopinath, a leading economist of Indian origin, joined the IMF in 2019 as its first female Chief Economist. She was promoted to the Fund’s second-highest role in January 2022, where she played a key part in shaping IMF policy responses to major global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a statement, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Gopinath as “an exceptional intellectual leader,” noting her critical role in advancing multilateral cooperation and helping low-income nations navigate economic shocks.

Gopinath also shared her thoughts on the transition, stating, “I am truly grateful for my time at the IMF… I now return to my roots in academia, where I look forward to continuing to push the research frontier in international finance and macroeconomics to address global challenges, and to training the next generation of economists.”

Her decision marks the end of nearly seven years at the IMF. On social media, Gopinath wrote, “After nearly 7 amazing years at the IMF, I have decided to return to my academic roots.”

The IMF has yet to announce her successor, though Georgieva indicated a replacement would be named “in due course.” Gopinath’s departure comes as the IMF navigates ongoing global economic uncertainties and rising geopolitical tensions. Her return to Harvard places her back at the heart of academic thought leadership during a critical moment in global economic policymaking.