East Asia and Pacific Sees Steady Growth Amid Global Uncertainty
The World Bank projects 4.5% regional growth in 2026, while saying AI adoption and gains remain uneven.
TL;DR
- The World Bank projects East Asia and Pacific growth of 4.5% in 2026, citing high-tech goods exports and global AI-related activity as contributors.
- Its regional update says AI uptake among firms and individuals is rising but remains uneven, with costs, skills and security concerns cited as barriers.
- The forecast is an institutional projection, not a realized growth figure.
The World Bank’s October update projects regional growth at 4.5% in 2026. It says high-tech goods exports have benefited from the global increase in AI-related activity, while adoption across the broader economy remains uneven. [1] [2]
The Bank identifies infrastructure, skills, financing, security and privacy concerns among the conditions shaping wider AI uptake. CNBC’s coverage also reports the revised regional outlook and AI concentration concerns. [1] [2]
Why it matters
The outlook ties regional growth to the supply chain for AI-related goods while highlighting that production gains and economy-wide adoption are not the same.
Editor's note
Forecast and adoption statements are attributed to the World Bank’s October 6 economic update.