Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] Ad spend growth is still projected to outpace economic growth, as the International Monetary Fund projects global GDP growth at 3.1% in 2026. dentsu
• [New] Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by large-scale smart hospital initiatives, rapid digital health transformation, increasing healthcare investments, and growing adoption of AI technologies across emerging economies. Market Data Forecast
• [New] With $700 billion flowing into AI-related investments during 2026, technology giants are constructing the data centers, networks, semiconductor supply chains, and energy systems that will define the next generation of economic growth. CnetLabs
• [New] Global headline inflation is projected to increase from 4.1% in 2025 to 4.7% in 2026 before easing to 3.9% in 2027, signalling that the disinflation trend that began in early 2024 has stalled. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
• [New] The International Monetary Fund has retained its 2026 economic growth forecast for Nigeria at 4.1%, saying the country's improving macroeconomic stability and favourable terms of trade will continue to support expansion despite a weakening global economy. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
• [New] China, which is classed as an emerging economy, is forecast to grow 4.6%. Al Jazeera
• [New] The South Korean economy will grow by 2.6% in 2026. SBS News
• [New] Emerging and high-growth economies are expected to account for around 80% of the rise in global electricity demand by 2030 [IEA], driven by energy security needs and industrial expansion. Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2026
• [New] Investors await second-quarter earnings reports, with technology expected to drive a 24% surge in S&P 500 profits despite inflation and geopolitical risks. ST
• [New] Analysts widely project a significant global oil surplus for 2026, with current prices still trading above long-term bearish forecasts, signaling further downside as supply outpaces demand. Kavout
• [New] The EIA has lowered its global oil demand forecast for 2026 for the first time since COVID-19, reflecting high prices, conservation efforts, and the lingering effects of disruptions - which is helping keep inventories in better shape and preventing any runaway price spikes. investing.com
• [New] Most crude production and trade patterns are expected to return to near pre-conflict levels by the end of 2026, with the majority of remaining shut - in production back online in the first quarter of 2027. investing.com
• [New] Attacks between the US and Iran this week revived concerns that high energy prices could fuel more inflation and force the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates. ST
• [New] The Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee is split over whether inflation is likely to stay elevated or whether it will cool once the Iran war winds down. FDD
• [New] By 2030, data center water consumption for AI cooling and electricity generation could reach 9.3 trillion liters - enough to meet global drinking water needs for 1.6 years. Water Industry Hub
• [New] Bitcoin jumped 10% in the first week of July after the U.S. economy added just 57,000 jobs, less than half of what analysts expected. TechBullion
• [New] Average selling prices for PCs and tablets could climb 5% to 10% through the back half of 2026, with memory fabs not expected to add meaningful new capacity until 2027 at the earliest. KASE
• [New] AI could widen economic and political disparities because model development, computing infrastructure, investment, and technical expertise remain concentrated among a few countries and companies. MarketingProfs
• [New] For Nigeria, the IMF projected economic growth of 4.1% in 2026, and rising to 4.3% in 2027. MarketForces Africa
• [New] Generative AI could inject $4.4 trillion annually into the global economy, optimizing diverse operations ranging from software engineering to tailored customer interactions. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Leading Service Type: Drug substance manufacturing is expected to account for roughly 44% of revenue share in 2026, driven by increasing outsourcing of biologics and complex-molecule production, which require specialized infrastructure. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Regional Leadership: North America is poised to dominate with an estimated 38% share in 2026, while Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth through 2033, led by rapid digitalization across China, India, and ASEAN economies. Persistence Market Research

Last updated: 14 July 2026