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] Undergraduate enrolment has been projected to grow by 2.4% in Fall 2026, the third consecutive year of enrolment growth. Division of Enrollment Management
• [New] South-east Asian governments have increasingly rolled out incentives in high-tech sectors for foreign investment - led by Thailand's electric vehicles and Malaysia's semiconductor industries - which could prove crucial to their growth potential in 2026. The Business Times
• [New] The IMF's medium term growth projection for India is 6.5% over the period 2027-28 to 2030-31. The Times Of India
• [New] For the first half of 2026-27, the RBI assesses a growth of 6.8%. / India The Times Of India
• [New] We expect GDP growth of 7% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with risks evenly balanced. / India forbesindia
• [New] Continued emphasis on strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals and pursuing economic reforms is expected to unlock efficiencies and productivity gains, reinforcing India's growth momentum. The Tribune
• [New] U.S.-China decoupling will slow global growth but also reorganize chains, with multiple effects on emerging markets. WebProNews
• [New] While global growth may stutter, reforms in nations like India and Brazil could propel them forward. WebProNews
• [New] While slow global growth is weighing on specialty cellulose demand, Rayonier Advanced has managed to increase prices, and we think recent industry capacity reductions could drive stronger pricing and CS volumes over the medium term. Jax Daily Record
• [New] The U.S. dollar is showing signs of stabilization at the end of a difficult year, but many anticipate a renewed decline in 2026 due to expected Federal Reserve rate cuts and strengthening global growth. Investrade - Discount Securities
• [New] With the Fed raising its 2026 GDP forecast to 2.3%, the consensus view is that the U.S. economy is entering a period of Goldilocks growth - not too hot to fuel inflation, but not too cold to trigger a downturn. Valley City Times-Record
• [New] Analysts forecast mid-single-digit compound growth through 2028 under conservative scenarios. AI CERTs News
• [New] With a tumultuous 2025 nearly in the rearview mirror, Gulf oil and gas producers will continue working toward regional stability, due in no small part to the desire to promote ongoing economic growth. Middle East Institute
• [New] As the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC +) phases out its earlier production cuts, the recovery in oil output in 2026, along with continued growth in non-oil GDP, is likely to support Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies. Middle East Institute
• [New] Investors are entering 2026 with cautious optimism, balancing the desire for growth exposure with an awareness of lingering risks. STL.News
• [New] McKinsey estimates the long-term AI opportunity at $4.4 trillion in productivity growth potential. Netguru
• [New] Productivity gains are materializing but remain measured, with current estimates suggesting AI could increase annual US labour productivity growth by 0.3% to 1.8% over the next decade, depending on adoption rates and methodology. Roic AI
• [New] US courts have sanctioned lawyers for submitting AI-generated work with fabricated citations, highlighting the danger of what some call productive laziness, as AI shortcuts replace diligent review. Roots
• A recent Deloitte analysis predicts economic growth of just 1.4% in 2026. Money
• Robotaxis might play a big role in Tesla's growth. Carbon Credits
• Alberta is expected to outperform all provinces with GDP growth increasing by 1.8% in 2026. BDC.ca
• Alberta should lead the provincial pack with relatively strong growth, while Saskatchewan is also expected fare well, despite tariffs on canola and potash. BDC.ca

Last updated: 28 December 2025