The United Nations flagship report, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, was released on 8 January 2026 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
The report forecasts global economic growth slowing to 2.7 percent in 2026, down from 2.8 percent in 2025 and well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 percent.
While declining inflation and consumer spending have supported stability, underlying weaknesses remain, including low investment, limited fiscal space, and persistent trade and geopolitical tensions.
High prices continue to strain households, and long-standing barriers are slowing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for renewed multilateral cooperation and stronger development finance.
