India Emerges as Global Growth Leader in WEF Economic Survey

25 September 2026: India has the strongest growth outlook among the economies and regions covered in the World Economic Forum’s September 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook. Its global survey points to improving expectations for Indian growth and household incomes.

India growth outlook strengthens from May

According to the WEF’s September report, 98% of surveyed chief economists expect moderate or stronger growth in India over the next 12 months. Within that group, 74% anticipate strong or very strong growth, compared with 52% in May 2026. India narrowly leads South-East Asia, where 73% expect strong or very strong growth.

Global sentiment improves, but risks persist

The report says 56% of respondents expect global economic conditions to remain unchanged or strengthen over the coming year. In May, 89% had expected conditions to weaken.

Geopolitical conflicts and asset-price corrections remain prominent concerns. Economists also expect constrained public finances to reduce governments’ ability to cushion future shocks. The WEF’s report overview describes an uneven recovery in expectations: moderate growth dominates the US assessment, China’s outlook has weakened, and Europe remains the weakest region despite modest improvement.

For Indian exporters, that uneven picture provides context for the continuing emphasis on trade and market access. 

Household income prospects contrast with business ranking

India and South-East Asia stand apart as the only geographies where a majority of respondents expect inflation-adjusted household incomes to rise. Elsewhere, majorities anticipate stagnant or declining real incomes, while the survey points to higher global food, electricity and transport costs.

India nevertheless drops from second to fourth in the survey’s assessment of attractive business environments for multinational companies. The United States leads, followed by South-East Asia and Europe; China ranks fifth. Respondents selected their top three destinations and 40% included India, down from 56% in the previous outlook.

Earlier discussion of productivity and sustained growth offers useful background, but the WEF findings remain a forward-looking survey.