Global Scans · Decent Work and Growth · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] On balance, Eurozone growth in 2026 is now expected to be modest, with rising stagflation risks. First Business Bank
• [New] Higher energy prices will lift inflation in 2026 while dampening real incomes and consumption, resulting in a softer growth profile than previously expected. First Business Bank
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth, propelled by rapid digitalization, large-scale cloud adoption, and expanding IT services sectors in countries like India, China, and Japan. ReAnIn
• [New] The increased use of technology, a decrease in the cost of batteries, and an expansion in the availability of charging stations will continue to drive growth across the world. Precedence Research
• [New] ESG fund assets under management are projected to exceed $33.9 trillion globally by 2026, reflecting sustained growth in retail and institutional investor interest. Ankura.com
• [New] The tech sector is currently projected to deliver a 27.1% earnings growth rate, significantly outpacing the broader S&P 500's expected 12.8%. FinancialContent
• [New] Global solid waste generation could surge 50% by 2050, with the fastest growth projected in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. National Today
• [New] Investors are directing funds toward Asia and Latin America, where growth prospects appear more robust and risks more contained. The Fulcrum
• [New] India, which imports a significant share of its laptops from China and continues to face affordability challenges in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, represents a particularly strong growth opportunity. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Growth in the United States is expected to slow over the coming decades relative to the first quarter of the 21st century. The Conference Board
• Amidst economic pressure and the growing adoption of AI in the workplace, talent in the U.S. are recalibrating what they expect from work and rethinking their own relevance and future, ushering in the Great Workforce Adaptation. LaGrange CEO
• The US will need an estimated 500,000 additional workers by 2030 to meet rising electricity demand and data center growth. Economic Times
• AI could automate tasks accounting for one-fourth of all work hours, highlighting its potential to reshape nearly every occupation. Economic Times
• One of the only regions of the world that will have population growth in the near future is sub-Saharan Africa. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• By 2030, AI alone may account for over 20% of total electricity demand growth. Climate Group
• Global B2C ecommerce revenue is expected to grow to USD$ 5.5 trillion by 2027 at a steady 14.4% compound annual growth rate. Laura.McCall@trade.gov
• India will rank first among 20 countries worldwide in retail e-commerce development between 2023 and 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%. Laura.McCall@trade.gov

Last updated: 05 April 2026