The Economist has published its annual outlook, The World Ahead 2026 - and the picture is both tense and full of change. The magazine highlights several forces that are likely to shape the world in the coming year, DKNews.kz reports.
The “Trump world”
According to The Economist, global politics in 2026 will revolve largely around Donald Trump’s decisions.
His policies will influence:
- the security of allies
- global trade
- relations with China and Europe
Any shift in Washington’s course could quickly ripple through markets and geopolitics.
Wars and conflicts
No quick resolution is expected on major conflicts.
The forecast is cautious:
- a major escalation in Gaza is not the baseline scenario
- the war in Ukraine is likely to continue
The US may scale back its involvement, shifting more responsibility to Europe. Whether Europe can handle it remains uncertain.
Financial risks in rich economies
The Economist warns that advanced economies continue to live beyond their means.
At risk are:
- government bond markets
- investor confidence
- fiscal stability
A serious disruption here could trigger fresh turbulence.
An AI investment bubble?
Investment in artificial intelligence is booming. But optimism may be running ahead of reality.
If the AI bubble bursts:
- companies could lose capital
- markets would face a shock
- growth could slow
AI will not disappear - but expectations and pricing may reset.
A breakthrough in pharmaceuticals
Among the risks, there is also optimism.
New GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are expected to hit the market:
- more affordable
- more effective
- available in tablet form
This could reshape not only medicine, but the entire global healthcare industry.
What it all adds up to
2026 is shaping up as a year of stress tests for politics, economies and technology. Risks are real - but so are the opportunities.
The Economist’s takeaway is simple: the world is changing faster than we can get used to - and that is the new normal.
