UNCTAD: Global growth to slow to 2.6% in 2026, AI tops goods-trade drivers
AI summary
UNCTAD's 2026 Trade and Development Report forecasts global GDP growth of 2.6% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025, with developing economies slowing from 4.7% to 4% and Asia contributing 59% of global growth. It says East Asia sits at the centre of semiconductor and advanced-computing manufacturing, and that AI products have become a major driver of merchandise trade — though AI-related trade growth will not automatically deliver broad development gains.
In-depth insight
An official agency's read on how much AI trade now props up global growth — and its warning that this lift may not spread widely.