Regional Economic Updates

The latest biannual regional economic updates highlight key macroeconomic trends and developments across Africa; East Asia and the Pacific; Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; and South Asia.

Published twice a year ahead of the World Bank–International Monetary Fund Spring and Annual Meetings, these reports provide timely analysis of emerging challenges and opportunities shaping each region.

Africa: Building AI Readiness (Oct. 2026)

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth is gaining momentum despite heightened global uncertainty and regional and domestic headwinds, with growth forecasts upgraded for nearly three-quarters of countries in the region. Yet growth remains insufficient to substantially reduce poverty or create enough jobs for the region’s rapidly growing labor force. Against this backdrop, the Africa Economic Update examines how artificial intelligence can help boost productivity, expand economic opportunities, and improve service delivery. The report argues that Africa’s greatest near-term opportunity lies in adopting and adapting practical AI solutions while strengthening the foundations needed to use them effectively—including reliable electricity, connectivity, skills, data, computing infrastructure, and strong institutions and governance. Building these foundations can help countries translate AI adoption into broader development gains and better opportunities for people across the region.

Press Release: English | Français | Portuguese

Learn More: Report | Office of the Chief Economist, Africa Region

East Asia and Pacific: Riding the AI Wave (Oct. 2026)

In East Asia and Pacific, a global surge in AI-related activity is lifting growth in countries that participate in AI supply chains, while high energy costs are weighing on growth elsewhere, particularly in Pacific Island economies. Growth in the region is slowing, but considerably less than anticipated previously and is forecast to remain robust. The influence of AI is unmistakable in the region’s industrial sector, but it is less apparent in the rest of the economy. Like in many other emerging markets and developing economies, AI use in East Asia and Pacific is less prevalent than in advanced economies. Nevertheless, AI adoption is shaping skills demand as firms’ requirements for AI-related skills are often paired with complementary analytical and soft skills.

Press Release: English | 中文| Монгол| ខ្មែរ| Tiếng Việt | ไทย| Indonesian

Learn More: Report | Publication page | Executive Summary | Office of the Chief Economist, Asia

Europe and Central Asia: Making AI Work (Oct. 2026)

Developing economies in Europe and Central Asia continue to demonstrate economic resilience despite slowing growth, high energy prices, and heightened global uncertainty. The region’s economic activity is projected to ease to 2.2% this year from 2.6% in 2025. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to offset declining productivity and reinvigorate economic expansion, but organizational constraints, limited computing capacity, and poor data readiness are holding the region back. To capitalize on AI's potential, countries will need to expand affordable access to computing capacity while strengthening foundational, digital, and managerial skills.

Press Release: English  | Русский | Українська | Shqip | Српски | Română | Türkçe | Hrvatski | Български | O'zbek | Հայերեն

Learn More: Report| Publication page | Event

Latin America and the Caribbean: Harnessing the AI Transition (Oct. 2026)

Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean remains modest. Regional GDP is projected to expand 2.2 percent in 2026, broadly in line with 2.4 percent in 2025, a sign of resilience in absorbing external shocks. Beneath the regional average, paths diverge. Countries making sound and durable policy choices are delivering stronger results: faster growth, more investment, and greater market confidence. The region urgently requires new engines of productivity. The rapid global diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) offers a potential catalyst.

Press Release: English  | Español | Portuguese

Learn More: Report | Publication page

Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan: From Divide to Opportunity (Oct. 2026)

The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region is facing severe economic costs due to the conflict that began in February 2026. Unlike previous energy shocks, which typically benefited oil exporters, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has imposed the largest costs on Gulf oil-exporting economies. Regional output is projected to contract by 2.1% on average in 2026, after expanding by 3.3% in 2025. The effects extend well beyond energy markets, disrupting tourism, aviation, and logistics, while heightened uncertainty continues to weigh on financial markets and business sentiment. As policymakers confront the immediate consequences of conflict and economic disruption, the region must also prepare for a second transformation that is unfolding: the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

Press Release: English  | العربية | Français

Learn More: Report | Publication page | Event

South Asia: Adopting AI for Growth (Oct. 2026)

Growth in South Asia is expected to exceed earlier projections this year, with strong domestic demand keeping the region resilient to global shocks. However, persistently elevated energy prices and a potentially severe El Niño episode pose downside risks. The report explores how AI adoption can build new sources of growth and create jobs. Adoption of AI in South Asia is rising but it remains well behind that in advanced economies. The report recommends policy measures to strengthen workforce skills, establish a more business-enabling environment, and improve physical and digital infrastructure, complemented by measures to reduce barriers to AI adoption by small firms, foster local AI innovation, and establish a clear regulatory framework that reduces uncertainty and safeguards data security and privacy.

Press Release: English

Learn More: Report| Publication page | Office of the Chief Economist, South Asia