Global economic growth is likely to be weaker than earlier expected, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, due to a slower recovery in advanced economies and a further slowdown in emerging nations, Reuters reported.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde also warned emerging economies like Indonesia to 'be vigilant for spillovers' from China's slowdown, tighter global financial conditions, and the prospects of a U.S. interest rate hike.

'Overall, we expect global growth to remain moderate and likely weaker than we anticipated last July,' Lagarde told university students at the start of a two-day visit to Indonesia's capital.

The IMF in July forecast global growth at 3.3 percent this year, slightly below last year's 3.4 percent.

Lagarde said China's economy was slowing, although not sharply or unexpectedly, as it adjusts to a new growth model.