India Forecast To Be Fastest-growing Major Economy In 2026: ACCA Report
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Despite much higher-than-expected US import tariffs, the Indian economy has proved much more resilient than expected, expanding by 8.2% in year-on-year terms in the July–September quarter, aided by robust consumer spending growth according to ACCA’s latest Global Economic Outlook. By comparison, the global economy is expected to grow at a reasonable but not particularly exciting pace again this year, supported by easier monetary policy, fiscal stimulus in key economies and the continued artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but important downside risks remain in a volatile and unpredictable global environment.
The Indian economy should continue to benefit from fast growth in consumer spending amid low inflation, cuts in the goods and services tax, the easing in monetary policy, and strong investment in infrastructure by the government, while service sector growth is likely to remain robust, aided in part by exports. Recent policy reforms, including to the labour market and bankruptcy laws, could help raise the economy’s performance over coming years. Any trade deal with the US would also be a key positive for the economy, as would continued low global oil prices. Developments with domestic food prices is a key risk worth watching, as always.
Md. Sajid Khan, Director – India at ACCA, said: ‘It’s extremely encouraging to hear that the Indian economy has proved resilient to the large increase in US import tariffs, benefiting from robust consumer spending growth. Our report reveals that India is likely to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy once again in 2026, and recent reforms could potentially help improve its longer-term performance.’
The third edition of ACCA’s annual outlook finds that global growth proved stronger than expected in 2025, despite the major trade disruptions and massive policy uncertainty. That resilience is likely to carry into 2026, with global GDP likely to expand by around 3%, broadly in line with last year, though risks remain more firmly skewed to the downside.
Former IMF chief economist Ken Rogoff, interviewed for the report, describes the global economy as ‘solid but not exciting’, while cautioning that the scale of uncertainty is not fully reflected in financial markets. He warns of the risk of a significant stock market correction over the next three years, even as markets could rise further in the interim.
He noted: “Despite the surprisingly positive economic picture given where it seemed we were six months ago, I think there are a lot of downsides to the US administration’s policies, with negative consequences for the US economy likely to emerge in 2027 and 2028. Populist policies work until they don’t.”
Jonathan Ashworth, chief economist at ACCA and author of the report, said: “On a central case scenario, the global economy should continue with a steady expansion in 2026, aided by looser monetary policy, fiscal easing, and the ongoing AI boom. The US should be the fastest growing G7 economy, with the administration likely to double down on efforts to boost growth ahead of the mid-terms. But it is a fragile global backdrop, amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, risks of an escalation in trade tensions, and concerns about threats to the Federal Reserve’s independence.”
The report identifies three themes that could be critical in shaping the global economic outlook this year:
· Developments with AI: Signs that investment in AI is beginning to boost productivity at firms, could allay fears about an AI bubble like the dot-com bubble. Alternatively, if doubts about its productivity-enhancing effects were to build, the risk of a market correction could increase.
· Developments in advanced economy bond markets: A large rise in government bond yields would weigh on economies and raise debt-servicing costs. Catalysts include investor concerns about debt sustainability and threats to the Federal Reserve’s independence, political instability, and monetary tightening in Japan.
· Developments with global trade: The ongoing ripple effects from the large rise in US tariffs need to be monitored closely, and risks remain of a reescalation in trade tensions.
Business leaders also provided insights on their countries and/or regions, with key issues in 2026 including AI, geopolitics, trade, the green transition and cybersecurity.
Ashworth added: “In a volatile, unpredictable and rapidly changing world, understanding the interplay of economic, geopolitical, political, and technological factors will be critical for businesses and policymakers.”
