The World Economic Forum’s recent survey indicates that India has the most optimistic growth outlook among all regions examined. According to the September 2026 Chief Economists’ Outlook, a notable 74 per cent of chief economists foresee strong or very strong economic growth within the next twelve months.

This positive sentiment represents a significant shift when compared to the previous survey conducted in May, where only 52 per cent held similar expectations. Overall, a remarkable 98 per cent of those surveyed anticipate moderate or stronger growth in India during the upcoming year.

Such projections have positioned India slightly ahead of South-East Asia, where 73 per cent of respondents also expect robust growth. This trend underscores India’s dominance in the economic forecast among its geographical counterparts.

Household Income and Employment Expectations Improve

In addition to general economic growth, expectations regarding household incomes in India also display a positive trajectory. Approximately 62 per cent of chief economists predict that inflation-adjusted household incomes will rise over the next year. Amongst these, 7 per cent expect a significant increase.

This increase contrasts with trends observed in many other regions, where most respondents expect household incomes to either stagnate or decline. The survey pinpointed India’s and South-East Asia’s unique position regarding anticipated improvements in real household income.

Employment forecasts remain largely stable, as about 70 per cent of economists expect the unemployment rate to stay constant over the next twelve months. Meanwhile, 17 per cent foresee a rise in unemployment, and 13 per cent anticipate a decrease.

Inflation and Business Environment Insights

The report noted a moderation in inflation expectations for India since May. Currently, 55 per cent of chief economists believe that inflation will remain moderate, while 45 per cent predict higher inflation for the upcoming year. This insight reflects a cautious optimism regarding price stability in the economy.

Despite the strong growth outlook, India’s position as an attractive market for multinational companies has declined. The survey placed India fourth in a ranking regarding favourable business environments, with only 40 per cent of respondents including it among their top three destinations, a decrease from 56 per cent in the previous survey.

On a global scale, there is a noticeable improvement in economic sentiment. Fifty-six per cent of chief economists express an expectation that the world economic outlook will either remain unchanged or strengthen over the next twelve months, an increase from May when 89 per cent anticipated a downturn. However, geopolitical tensions continue to be a significant concern, identified by 97 per cent of economists as the principal source of uncertainty.

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