Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] If elections are held in 2026, they could become either a black swan event for Ukraine, bringing a sharp increase in chaos and turmoil, or a phoenix that will revive hopes for the formation of a fundamentally new economic policy. International Liberty Institute
• [New] With a high degree of probability, 2026 will be worse for Europe than 2025 if the old forces of the EU, focused on federalization, continue to push their old priorities through protectionism, tax and regulatory extremism, and increased debt. International Liberty Institute
• [New] 2026 will mark the inflection point where the global economy transitions from AI-assisted to AI-native. Techzine Global
• [New] Indonesia may emerge as the fourth largest economy in 2050, followed by China, India and the United States. The Financial Express
• [New] All eyes will be on Japan's fourth-quarter GDP data on Monday with many economists expecting a contraction of about 0.7% in the world's number three economy. The Daily Star
• [New] Bangladesh is likely to continue recovering, with economic growth projected at 5.1% in FY26. The Financial Express
• [New] Headline inflation declined from 4.0% in 2024 to an estimated 3.4% in 2025, and is projected to slow further to 3.1% in 2026. / USA The Financial Express
• [New] The Sultanate of Oman has launched the Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan (2026-2030), continuing its efforts to enhance economic, financial, and social stability, and advance towards a sustainable and prosperous future. Times of Oman
• [New] Delays in infrastructure deployment could cost the UK tens of billions in lost productivity, while successful adoption of 5G and full fiber could deliver economic gains worth £200 billion by 2035. UKAuthority
• [New] The adoption of wind power is expected to speed up the development trajectory for Bangladesh, as it will not only be a green energy source for households but also a powerhouse for the national economy. The Daily Star
• [New] By building gray factories to enhance production that plays to its strengths, the U.S. will give itself the best chance to compete with China on the fastest-growing, highest margin segments of global manufacturing. Automation.com
• [New] Further disappointing news came in KPMG's latest European Economic Outlook which shows that the Eurozone economy is projected to grow by just 1.1% in 2026, down from 1.3% this year. Croner-i
• [New] In 2026, global trade growth is expected to be more muted as slowing global economic growth, geopolitical fragmentation, continued policy uncertainty and heightened vulnerability weigh on trade activity. The Daily Star
• [New] By 2026, tokenized commodities will attract global investors seeking efficiency, security, and fractional exposure to high-value markets. Differ
• [New] Countries like Nigeria have seen significant growth in non-oil exports by adopting hybrid seedlings and advanced agri-tech, highlighting the potential for export-led economic development. AgriTech Insights
• [New] Several large developing economies, including China, India and Indonesia, are expected to continue experiencing solid growth driven by resilient domestic demand or targeted policy measures. FirstPost
• [New] India is projected to grow at 6.6% in 2026, registering an exceptionally high growth in a challenging global environment, with resilient private consumption and strong public investment largely offsetting the impact of high US tariffs, the United Nations has said. FirstPost
• [New] The global digital economy is forecast to grow 9.5% in 2026 and reach an estimated USD $28 trillion, according to a new outlook from the Digital Cooperation Organization. IT Brief UK

Last updated: 13 January 2026