The IMF raised its global growth forecast to 3.3% from 3.1% this year, and warned that major risks are building. The upgrade reflects resilient activity, strong labour markets and heavy investment in new technologies, especially artificial intelligence. However, the IMF cautioned that these same forces could become sources of instability. Rapid AI-driven investment, particularly in North America and Asia, is supporting growth and equity markets, but if productivity gains fail to materialise, it could trigger sharp market corrections and weaken household wealth. Trade and geopolitical risks also remain elevated. While the impact of past tariffs is expected to fade, new disputes or a shift toward protectionism could hurt corporate profits and keep inflation pressures alive. Regionally, the fund expects solid growth in the US (2.6% in 2026), modest expansion in the Euro Area (1.3%), and stronger momentum in China (4.5%), underscoring an uneven but still resilient global outlook.
Full Year GDP Growth in World remained unchanged at 2.90 percent in 2024 from 2.90 percent in 2023. Full Year GDP Growth in World averaged 3.46 percent from 1961 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 6.60 percent in 1964 and a record low of -2.80 percent in 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for World Full Year GDP Growth. World Full Year GDP Growth - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on February of 2026.
Full Year GDP Growth in World remained unchanged at 2.90 percent in 2024 from 2.90 percent in 2023. Full Year GDP Growth in World is expected to reach 3.20 percent by the end of 2026, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the World Full Year GDP Growth is projected to trend around 3.10 percent in 2027 and 3.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.