MEI's 2026 outlook Report shows that the Asia-Pacific continues to maintain growth momentum in the context of a global economy adjusted by tariff fluctuations, trade restructuring and the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI). MEI forecasts global GDP in 2026 to reach about 3.1%, down slightly compared to 2025.
According to MEI, the world economy is being affected by a mix of opportunities and risks. fiscal stimulus packages and technological advances, especially AI, help improve productivity, while geopolitical tensions, trade disruption and the risk of supply chain disruption continue to put pressure on growth.
In the Asia-Pacific, cooling inflation, flexible monetary policy, improved real income and stable consumption are key supporting factors. Increased spending on tourism and experience helps services and tourism continue to play a role as growth drivers of the region.
MEI emphasized that the ability to adapt and invest in digital capacity will determine the growth outlook in 2026.
