Global growth set to cool to 2.6% on energy shock,...

Summary

• Global growth is on course to ease to 2.6% this year, a UN agency said, blaming soaring energy costs from the war in the Middle East.
• Where global growth comes fromAsian economies will account for 59% of all global growth in 2026.
• How other forecasts compareBack in June, the World Bank lowered its own outlook for global growth to 2.5%, citing the Middle East war.

AI Generated Summary

Global growth is on course to ease to 2.6% this year, a UN agency said, blaming soaring energy costs from the war in the Middle East.

In its Trade and Development Report 2026, released on Friday, UN Trade and Development compared that figure with expansion of 2.9% in 2025. For 2027, the agency, known as UNCTAD, sees a small recovery to 2.7%. Developing nations face a sharper slowdown, with their combined growth falling to 4% from 4.7%, as new barriers in technology and policy hold them back.

Last year, cross-border sales of goods and services hit a record $35 trillion. This year, that total should rise by another 4%, although pricier energy explains much of the increase, the report said.

Where global growth comes from

Asian economies will account for 59% of all global growth in 2026. Among them, India leads with a forecast of 7.3%, ahead of Indonesia at 5.2% and China at 4.5%.