World Bank cuts global growth forecast to 2.5% for 2026

The World Bank has cut its global growth forecast to 2.5% for 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025 and 0.1 percentage point below its January projection, according to its latest Global Economic Prospects report released on June 11.

The latest forecast marks the lowest growth rate since the COVID-19 pandemic, as the conflict in the Middle East has driven up energy prices, renewed inflationary pressures and fueled expectations of tighter monetary policy, the bank said. The expected deceleration is driven by slowing growth in advanced economies and emerging