Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] For 2026, we expect federal decision-makers to support initiatives that align with government policy and contribute to desired outcomes of enhanced productivity, economic growth and improving affordability for Canadians. / Canada JD Supra
• [New] The global creator economy is booming and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 23.3% from 2025 to 2033. Sumsub
• [New] Industry forecasts project that the United States could deploy more than 90 GW of additional storage capacity between 2025 and 2030, driven by rising electricity demand, continued renewable generation growth, and a heightened need for flexible grid resources. JD Supra
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the foreseeable period due to the rising automobile production in emerging economies, significant government investment in smart mobility, and growing consumer demand for high-tech, safety-compliant vehicles. Precedence Research
• [New] In 2026, many economies will face rising unemployment among younger or displaced workers alongside persistent vacancies in healthcare, engineering, construction and AI-adjacent roles. Fragomen - Immigration attorneys, solicitors, and consu
• [New] The digital assembly line is in full swing: 42% of enterprises already have agents in production, and Gartner predicts 40% of all apps will feature them by year-end. MEXC
• [New] In 2026, circular economy principles and associated risk will take a new level of significance, driving many businesses to elevate associated compliance and strategic frameworks within their corporate governance structures. JD Supra
• [New] Quantum technology could boost productivity by 7% over the next two decades, creating over 100,000 jobs and generating £212 billion in economic impact. / UK UKAuthority
• [New] The global space economy is today a vibrant frontier; it is a US$ 630 billion (S$ 808 billion) powerhouse, with many leading firms projecting it to surge beyond US$ 1 trillion by 2040. ST
• [New] The value of the space sector's economic activities is expected to grow to US$ 1.8 trillion (S$ 2.3 trillion) by 2035, from US$ 630 billion in 2023. ST
• [New] The UK has secured over 2,000 tonnes of additional fishing opportunities in valuable Faroese stocks, worth approximately £5 million based on historic landing prices, following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2026. Mirage News
• [New] The UK has secured approximately £3 million in fishing opportunities, based on historic landing prices, through quota exchanges with Norway. Mirage News
• [New] March S&P 500 E-Mini futures are trending down -0.40% this morning as oil prices continued to rise amid waning hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. Barchart.com
• [New] Companies outside Canada may be considered as partners, provided they can demonstrate that there will be clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy as a result of their participation. Research at UCalgary
• [New] Western economies, still recovering from Ukraine-related shocks, could see renewed competitiveness losses as energy costs bite harder and inflationary pressures resurface. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] A sustained conflict and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz beyond the end of March will create cost-push inflation worldwide through elevated energy, commodity and transportation prices. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] As we move through 2026, the wealth management and advising industry will evolve rapidly due to shifting client expectations, increased complexity, and a realignment of institutional duties. MEXC
• [New] SK Group's chairman, at NVIDIA's GTC conference in March, put it plainly: HBM supply shortages could persist until 2030, with current demand deficits exceeding 20%, and new production capacity takes four to five years to build. / USA FinExtra
• [New] Data center-driven electricity demand will boost core inflation by 0.1% in both 2026 and 2027, and by 0.05% in 2028, with the greatest impact felt in PJM-region states. Tech Insider
• [New] Even under the most extreme hypothetical scenario, in which there are increases in volumes, prices, intensity, and coverage of services for older persons, the growth in health spending for Japan 1.0 percentage points higher than what would be expected from population ageing alone. WHO Kobe Centre
• [New] Rising energy prices and possible supply disruptions could affect the whole economy, including transport, power generation, agriculture, and global shipping. The Daily Star
• [New] Energy markets remain the most immediate concern, as any escalation in global conflicts could push up fuel prices and disrupt supply chains, sharply increasing Bangladesh's import bill. The Daily Star
• [New] The potential value unlocked by AI in helping design out waste in a circular economy for food is estimated at USD 127 billion a year by 2030, and for consumer electronics, it's USD 90 billion a year by 2030. Mixflow.AI

Last updated: 24 March 2026