Global Scans · Decent Work and Growth · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] Consulting revenue is expected to accelerate to low to mid single-digit growth for FY 2026, supported by backlog quality and generative AI demand. Futurum
• [New] Labour productivity growth is expected to be the main driver of EU productivity. Agriculture and rural development
• [New] Software is projected to record growth of 15.5%, a touch higher than last year, while services climbs slightly to 5.3%, and communications services nudges up only slightly to 4.4% in 2026. IT Pro
• [New] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) builds on 25% growth in 2025, with a predicted 29.3% bump to $287 billion in 2026. IT Pro
• [New] Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness steady growth globally in 2026 with a share of roughly 18.6%, as it accounts for a large share of global shipbuilding, commercial shipping, fishing activities, and port expansion. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The World Bank expected growth across developing Europe and Central Asia to weaken to approximately 2.1% in 2026, down from 2.6% in 2025. Propify
• [New] Emerging economies, particularly across the Asia Pacific and Latin America, are creating substantial growth opportunities for cruelty-free cosmetic brands. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco are strengthening smart agriculture initiatives, creating long-term growth opportunities for intelligent irrigation system providers. Straits Research
• [New] The drip irrigation segment is anticipated to record the fastest growth, expanding at a CAGR of 15.4% during 2026-2034. Straits Research
• [New] The online segment is projected to register the fastest growth rate from 2026 to 2033, driven by rising e-commerce penetration and the convenience of home delivery. Data Bridge Market Research
• [New] The soil moisture sensor segment is expected to witness the fastest growth, registering a CAGR of 15.3% during 2026-2034. Straits Research
• [New] The global pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow from approximately USD 1,627.73 billion in 2025 to USD 1,722.05 billion in 2026, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 5.8%. store.frost.com
• [New] The Middle East's healthcare insurance sector in 2026 will likely see sustained growth driven by increasing demand for comprehensive tech-enabled plans, rising healthcare costs, and growing chronic diseases. The Lime Street Guide
• [New] Europe will likely see decent growth over the forecast period, with a share of 18.6% globally in 2026, as broadcasters have successfully integrated traditional television with broadcaster-owned streaming platforms and addressable TV advertising. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Thai life insurance industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% to US$ 22 billion in 2028, GlobalData says, as more Thais grow older and are more aware of their health needs. Clarion Events (Asia)
• [New] America's growth is under a double threat: trade policy with imminent tariffs which are already pressuring consumer sentiment, and fiscal policy, with potential recessionary impact from cuts in government spending. Emirates NBD
• [New] UK investors are now increasingly looking to emerging markets for investment opportunities, as uncertainty in the UK drives them to look for new avenues for growth. The AIC
• [New] Distributed capacity share will rise to 41% by 2030, with faster growth than centralized plants. Solar Panel Production Equipment and Machinery-Lithium
• [New] China's growth is expected to slow to 4.6% in 2026 on higher oil prices and structural headwinds, while India remains among the fastest-growing major economies at 6.4%, driven by strong private consumption and services activity. Khaleej Times
• [New] Asia Pacific is simultaneously the fastest growing region through 2033, with India, Vietnam, and Indonesia emerging as high-growth secondary demand centers as their industrial bases mature. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Dominant Solution Type: The renewable energy solution category is expected to lead in 2025; hydrogen solutions will exhibit the highest growth at 28% CAGR through 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to record the fastest growth, with India leading at a projected 20.8% CAGR through 2036. ADVFN
• [New] Asia-Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by rapid economic development, expanding middle-class populations, increasing healthcare expenditure, and significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and digital transformation. Market Data Forecast

Last updated: 02 August 2026