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] UK GDP growth is expected to slow to 0.8% in 2026, down from 1.4% in 2025, as pressures from a new energy price shock push up inflation, weigh on spending and leads to potential further tightening by the Bank of England. KPMG
• [New] With ongoing labour shortages across multiple industries, New Zealand continues to offer excellent opportunities for skilled workers seeking international career growth and potential long-term settlement. Radvision World
• [New] For Indian applicants who combine relevant work experience, employer sponsorship, and the required English proficiency, New Zealand will continue to offer strong employment opportunities and potential pathways toward long-term settlement. Radvision World
• [New] In Canada, real GDP growth would accelerate on a Q4 / Q4 basis, from 0.7% in 2025 to 1.7% in 2026; it would moderate slightly, to 1.5%, in 2027. Bennett Jones
• [New] Average annual growth in real GDP would be 1.1% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027. / Canada Bennett Jones
• [New] The world is now roughly in the middle of a dramatic transition as a result of four fundamental disruptive trends: growth and urbanization in emerging markets, technological disruption, increasing connectivity, and the ageing of populations. The London School of Economics and Political Science
• [New] The current dollar weakness is partly driven by US-specific fiscal risk, which is not the same as a global growth acceleration that would conventionally support EM risk assets. VaaSBlock
• [New] Global trade growth is forecast to slow sharply to 1.9% in 2026 as U.S. tariff deadlines, a stalled EU deal, China redirections, and Middle East supply disruptions converge into the most complex trade environment in decades. Pomegra
• [New] As global demand shifts toward cleaner energy and alternative proteins, soybean by-products are well-positioned to capture long-term growth potential. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Growth in India is estimated at a CAGR of 24.6% through 2036, reflecting expanding end-use applications and rising consumer awareness and improved distribution through online and specialty retail channels. FactMr
• [New] Rising demand in emerging markets including China (26.6% CAGR) and India (24.6% CAGR) is creating new volume and value growth opportunities. FactMr
• [New] As AI becomes more embedded in everyday work, adoption gaps could increasingly shape which countries gain the biggest productivity and economic advantages over the next decade, similar to how internet adoption reshaped global competitiveness in the early digital era. Visual Capitalist
• [New] AI is already influencing growth at an economy-wide level: Barron's estimates AI investment drove nearly 60% of U.S. GDP growth in Q4 2025, while PwC expects AI to account for up to 15 percentage points to global GDP through 2035. JD Supra
• [New] Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth due to large-scale textile manufacturing ecosystems and increasing smart wearable demand in China, Japan, South Korea, and India. openpr
• [New] Asia Pacific Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period due to rapid industrialization, expanding electronics manufacturing, and strong textile production infrastructure. openpr
• [New] Growth in the European Union is projected to slow from 1.5% in 2025 to 1.1% in 2026, while the United Kingdom faces a steeper moderation, from 1.4% to 0.7%. United Nations
• [New] The United States is expected to remain comparatively resilient, with growth projected at 2.0% in 2026, broadly stable from 2025, supported by solid household demand and continued investment in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. United Nations
• [New] In a region where the digital economy is projected to exceed USD 300 billion in gross merchandise value, integrating youth into growth sectors is a structural imperative. SIBS 2026
• [New] We expect China's actual economic growth this year to be around 4%. BOFIT
• [New] We expect China's actual economic growth to stay around 4% this year, and, due to the reduced boost from exports, growth should slow to around 15.5% in 2027 and about 3% in 2028. BOFIT
• [New] Latin America is expected to witness substantial growth in the upcoming years. Precedence Research
• [New] Rapid global urbanization, with 68% of the world's population projected to live in urban areas by 2050 (UN DESA), combined with 5G IoT deployment, AI-driven urban analytics, and government-mandated digital infrastructure investment programs are primary growth factors. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 31 May 2026