World Economic Forum Released Chief Economists' Outlook
Global experts signaled a shift in economic resilience while projecting widespread AI adoption over the coming year.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Economics — General
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The World Economic Forum published its latest Chief Economists' Outlook, finding that 56% of respondents expect the global economic outlook to remain stable or improve. This marks a notable shift from May 2026, when 89% of surveyed experts anticipated weakening conditions.
Why it matters
Economists cite persistent geopolitical volatility, asset-price corrections, and cost-of-living pressures as the primary drivers of ongoing economic uncertainty. The findings also highlight a diminished expectation for fiscal support to sustain growth compared to its dominant role since 2020.
A survey of chief economists indicates that 97% anticipate increased AI adoption, while 88% expect a rise in global food costs. Additionally, 77% of respondents expect geoeconomic fragmentation to increase over the next 12 months.
The players
World Economic Forum
This international non-governmental organization is based in Switzerland and is known for hosting annual meetings that bring together political and business leaders.
Centre for the New Economy and Society
This center is a division within the World Economic Forum focused on shaping prosperous, resilient, and inclusive economies and societies.
The details
The report, which incorporated survey data collected from August 4 to August 20, 2026, highlights a rapid evolution in technological competition. Notably, 69% of economists predict that Chinese large language models will achieve parity with United States counterparts within the next year, despite skepticism regarding the job-creation potential of data-centre investments.
Timeline
August 4-20, 2026: The survey was conducted by the World Economic Forum.
September 29, 2026: The Chief Economists' Outlook report was published.
Macro View
This outlook reflects a cooling of the reliance on fiscal stimulus that defined the recovery from 2020, signaling a return to more constrained policy environments. The findings mirror past cycles where geopolitical tension forced a pivot away from synchronized global growth strategies.
With 88% of economists forecasting an increase in food costs, families may see further pressure on monthly grocery budgets in the coming months. The anticipated tariff increases in the United States could also lead to higher prices for a wide range of imported consumer goods.
The takeaway
The transition toward AI-driven productivity remains the primary focus for global experts despite concerns over rising food costs and trade barriers. Readers should prepare for a volatile year where technological adoption outpaces the traditional fiscal support mechanisms of the past.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the global markets, visit the Economics — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scoop.
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