Global Economic Outlook for 2026: Key Trends and Risks

The U.S. economy in 2025 was characterized by contradictions such as healthy growth amid slowing hiring, elevated inflation, and rising unemployment, with uncertainties about future trends due to data disruptions and technological impacts like AI potentially leading to a 'jobless expansion.' Economists are cautiously optimistic about 2026, expecting improved hiring and growth, but underlying inequalities and data collection issues remain concerns.