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] Europe will likely see decent growth over the forecast period, with a share of 18.6% globally in 2026, as broadcasters have successfully integrated traditional television with broadcaster-owned streaming platforms and addressable TV advertising. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Thai life insurance industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% to US$ 22 billion in 2028, GlobalData says, as more Thais grow older and are more aware of their health needs. Clarion Events (Asia)
• [New] America's growth is under a double threat: trade policy with imminent tariffs which are already pressuring consumer sentiment, and fiscal policy, with potential recessionary impact from cuts in government spending. Emirates NBD
• [New] UK investors are now increasingly looking to emerging markets for investment opportunities, as uncertainty in the UK drives them to look for new avenues for growth. The AIC
• [New] Distributed capacity share will rise to 41% by 2030, with faster growth than centralized plants. Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] China's growth is expected to slow to 4.6% in 2026 on higher oil prices and structural headwinds, while India remains among the fastest-growing major economies at 6.4%, driven by strong private consumption and services activity. Khaleej Times
• [New] Asia Pacific is simultaneously the fastest growing region through 2033, with India, Vietnam, and Indonesia emerging as high-growth secondary demand centers as their industrial bases mature. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Dominant Solution Type: The renewable energy solution category is expected to lead in 2025; hydrogen solutions will exhibit the highest growth at 28% CAGR through 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to record the fastest growth, with India leading at a projected 20.8% CAGR through 2036. ADVFN
• [New] Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by rapid economic development, expanding middle-class populations, increasing healthcare expenditure, and significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and digital transformation. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Europe will witness steady growth over the forecast period, with a share of nearly 14.7% globally in 2026, as organizations are focusing on energy efficiency, decarbonization, and regulatory compliance rather than only reducing utility costs. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Australia is well placed to participate in Life Sciences growth, but execution risk is increasing across various sectors. Hays Australia
• [New] Vietnam's exposure to foreign markets via international trade means risks to its economy skew towards a sharp growth slowdown, rather than outright stagflation featuring extreme price inflation. Fitch Solutions
• [New] We expect mineral and metal production growth in most markets in the Asia-Pacific region to continue, although the lower price outlook for some major commodities, including iron ore, will weigh on mining value growth in 2026. Fitch Solutions
• [New] Australia and the United Kingdom reaffirm the central role of gender equality in inclusive growth and climate resilience, and will deepen collaboration on gender-responsive climate finance in line with international commitments. Mirage News
• [New] East Asia is projected to see a moderation in growth to 4.4%, down from 4.9% the previous year, as the boost from front-loaded exports fades. UN Forecasts Subdued Global Growth of 2.7% in 2026 Amid
• [New] Subdued investment and limited fiscal space are weighing heavily on economic activity, raising the possibility that the global economy could settle into a trajectory of persistently slower growth than was observed in the pre-pandemic era. UN Forecasts Subdued Global Growth of 2.7% in 2026 Amid
• [New] The UN predicts 2026 global growth at 2.7%, remaining below pre-pandemic levels. UN Forecasts Subdued Global Growth of 2.7% in 2026 Amid
• [New] 65% of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Shaping Tomorrow
• [New] Continued investments in connected packaging, IoT technologies, sustainable materials, AI-powered supply chain analytics, and digital packaging innovation will create substantial long-term growth opportunities as organizations increasingly modernize packaging systems and global supply chains. Pheonix Research
• [New] We now expect real GDP growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council to contract by 0.8% in 2026 (April: +1.9%; pre-conflict: +4.9%), with greater hits to output in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain but growth in Oman and Saudi Arabia, and nearly flat growth in the UAE. Fitch Solutions
• [New] We forecast Middle East and North Africa regional real GDP to contract by 0.9% in 2026 (versus. +0.9% growth previously), driven by prolonged Hormuz disruption under a fragile ceasefire. Fitch Solutions
• [New] Southeast Asia accounts for 9% of the world's population and 4% of its GDP, but nearly 20% of global energy demand growth to 2035 under today's policy settings. IEA

Last updated: 26 July 2026