UNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2026: India To Grow 7.3% in 2026, Fastest Among Large Economies

Key facts

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in its Trade and Development Report 2026, projected India to remain the world's fastest-growing large economy with a growth rate of 7.3% in 2026.
• UNCTAD projected global economic growth at 2.6% in 2026, down from 2.9% in 2025, while growth of developing economies is expected to moderate to 4% from 4.7% in 2025.
• Asia is expected to account for 59% of global economic growth in 2026, with India (7.3%), Indonesia (5.2%) and China (4.5%) among major contributors.
• India's growth outlook is supported by robust domestic demand, expanding manufacturing capacity and sustained public investment in infrastructure.
• Global trade reached a record $35 trillion in 2025 and trade growth is expected to slow to around 4% in 2026 from 4.4% in 2025.
• Trade between China and the United States has declined by more than 20% since 2024.