Global economy to weaken in 2026: WEF Chief Economists’ Outlook

HEADWINDS FOR INDIA FROM US TARIFFS

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Global economy is entering a period of weak growth and systemic disruption, the World Economic Forum said in its latest Chief Economists’ Outlook on Tuesday.

Noting that India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy and is projected to grow by 6.5 per cent in 2025 by IME the report said the country’s manufacturing ambitions face headwinds from newly announced US tariffs of 50 per cent on exports, a development that weighs heavily on the regional outlook for entire South Asia.

According to the survey, 72 per cent of chief economists expect global economy to weaken in 2026 amid intensifying trade disruption, rising policy uncertainty and accelerating technological change.

‘The findings pointed to the emergence of a new economic environment shaped by persistent disruption and growing fragmentation.