It also expected the UK to grow faster this year by 0.8% rather than 0.6% however it left its forecast for 2013 at 2%.
The IMF also noted that another eurozone crisis was still possible and that most major economies “still face major brakes on growth”.
The global body’s revised UK forecasts now match with those of the UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility.
The IMF said: “In the United Kingdom, with inflation expected to fall below the 2% target amid weaker growth and commodity prices, the Bank of England can further ease its monetary policy stance.”
