Risks of prolonged market turmoil in emerging markets and of deflation in the euro area are threatening the world's improved economic prospects, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF, in a staff report prepared for central bankers and finance ministers from the Group of 20 (G-20), said the recovery is still weak and "significant downside risks remain." A January global growth forecast of 3.7 percent for this year, from 3 percent in 2013, hinges on recent market volatility from Turkey to Brazil being short-lived, according to the report.

"Capital outflows, higher interest rates, and sharp currency depreciation in emerging economies remain a key concern," according to the report prepared ahead of the G-20 meeting February 22 to 23 in Sydney. "A new risk stems from very low inflation in the euro area, where long-term inflation expectations might drift down, raising deflation risks in the event of a serious adverse shock to activity."