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] In 2026, organizations will increasingly structure work around skills rather than positions. Amberjack
• [New] With technology and the world of work changing faster than ever, experience will remain valuable but become increasingly rare. Amberjack
• [New] The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has forecast economic growth - of 1.5% in 2026. https://www.bangkokpost.com
• [New] Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, are expected to rise 1.0% this year, compared with an earlier forecast of a 1.5% decline. https://www.bangkokpost.com
• [New] The global environment remains fragile, with growth projected to soften amid heightened trade tensions, geopolitical risks, and structural constraints such as limited fiscal space in many developing economies. South Africa
• [New] Data centers, power generation, manufacturing, cold chain warehousing, distribution facilities, and health care spending (primarily ambulatory facilities and large hospital system expansions) will likely capture high single-digit and double-digit growth rates in 2026. Default
• [New] Data centers are on course to account for nearly half of electricity demand growth through 2030 - largely driven by AI usage. ClearBridge Investments Limited
• [New] The base case for global data center power demand growth is 22% compounded annually to 2030, while investment in data center construction should rise to US$ 49 billion per year by 2030. ClearBridge Investments Limited
• [New] Higher barriers will continue to force trade adjustments and dampen global trade growth, despite some bright spots such as intra-Asia trade. ING Think
• [New] Because frontloading effects will disappear, global trade growth will remain limited to just 0.5-1%. ING Think
• [New] In 2026, sustainable growth in partner marketing will depend on transparency, fair tracking practices, and attribution models that reflect real value, not just what can be measured. Adtraction
• [New] The highest relative growth, around 6%, is expected in Romania and Belgium. Knowledge for policy
• [New] Analysts expect growth in China, India and other emerging markets across Asia. The Shop
• [New] Growth in major emerging markets such as India and China is expected to remain relatively strong, albeit below 2025 levels. PwC Malta
• [New] The OECD projects global GDP growth will slow from 3.2% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026, before edging higher again in 2027. PwC Malta
• [New] 61% of CEOs expect global GDP growth to improve in 2026, up from 58% a year ago, signalling a modest but meaningful uplift in confidence. PwC Malta
• [New] AI could significantly impact nearly 40% of jobs worldwide, presenting both opportunities and risks for income growth and inequality. AdvisorAnalyst.com
• [New] AI has the potential to double U.S. labour productivity growth, increasing it by approximately 1.8% if widespread adoption occurs. AdvisorAnalyst.com
• [New] AI will follow past technological changes and add net jobs and growth. Democracy Journal
• [New] Within five to seven years, AI's ability to automate portions of work will be roughly equivalent to adding 16 million to 17 million workers to the US labour force. MIT Technology Review
• [New] Growth for 2026 is expected to be stable versus 2025, at roughly 5-6 percent year over year-slower than the pace of 2024. / China ResourceWise
• [New] In 2026, sustainable growth, operational maturity, and strategic clarity will matter as much as top-line expansion. Vertafore

Last updated: 01 February 2026