The January 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook opens on a cautiously brighter note than last year. Drawing on consultations and survey responses from the World Economic Forum’s Community of Chief Economists, the report examines near-term economic prospects alongside deeper structural shifts shaping growth, policy and investment. While views for the year ahead remain tilted towards the negative, they have improved compared to late 2025. Amid stretched asset valuations, rising public debt and geopolitical tensions, uncertainty remains elevated.

The outlook highlights divergent regional trajectories. Growth perspectives for the US are improving, driven by strong artificial intelligence-related investment. Europe confronts weak growth and geoeconomic challenges, while China navigates deflationary headwinds alongside a rebalancing of trade and consumption. South Asia stands out as the region with the strongest growth outlook among surveyed chief economists. This edition takes a closer look at debt pressures in advanced economies and emerging markets, as well as the uneven adoption of artificial intelligence and its implications for productivity and employment levels. Together, these dynamics point to a global economy that is undergoing profound transformation, requiring adaptive strategies from policy-makers and business leaders alike.