The global economy is preparing for another year of sluggish growth as profound structural disruptions, from trade and technology to resources and international institutions, reshape the landscape. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, released on Tuesday, nearly three-quarters (72%) of surveyed chief economists expect the global economy to weaken in 2026, signalling what the report calls the dawn of a “new economic environment.”
The report highlights the growing divide between advanced and developing economies. While growth in advanced markets, such as the U.S. and Europe, is likely to stay sluggish, emerging regions are set to boost global momentum. South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and East Asia and the Pacific are considered the bright spots, with one in three economists predicting strong or very strong growth.
The…