She will succeed Maurice Obstfeld, who announced in July that he would retire at the end of the year.
Gopinath is currently professor at Harvard University where her research focuses on international finance and macroeconomics.
Announcing the appointment, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said: “Gita is one of the world’s outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience.”
The incoming chief economist was named one of the top 25 economists under 45 by the IMF in 2014 and a young global leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011.
Lagarde said: “All this makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead our research department at this important juncture. I am delighted to name such a talented figure as our chief economist.”
Gopinath has written numerous articles on exchange rates, trade and investment, international financial crises, monetary policy, debt and emerging market crises.
She has a PhD in economics from Princeton University and joined the University of Chicago in 2001 as an assistant professor before moving to Harvard in 2005. She became a tenured professor there in 2010.
Her official role will be economic counsellor and director of the IMF’s research department.
IMF Managing Director Christine @Lagarde appoints Harvard’s Gita Gopinath as IMF Chief Economist, replacing Maury Obstfeld who will retire from IMF in December. https://t.co/M6UV5qH714 pic.twitter.com/k16ztkYIwi
— IMF (@IMFNews) 1 October 2018
