Report says the continent’s share of global GDP is expected to rise from 49.2% in 2025 to 49.7% this year
The (Boao Forum for Asia) estimates that Asia’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) will slow down in 2026, but the continent will continue to be the “main engine of global growth”. The projection is that the Asian economy as a whole will grow 4.5% this year, a decline of 0.2 percentage points compared to 2025.
Even with the decline, the Asian continent’s share of global GDP will increase in 2026 and will be close to 50%. Last year, the contribution was 49.2% of the global economic indicator, while the estimate is to reach 49.7% participation in 2026. The projections are in the “Annual Report on Economic Perspectives and Progress of Asian Integration 2026” released this Tuesday (24.mar.2026). Here is the document (PDF – 4 MB, in English).
The BFA is a forum based in the city of Boao, in the Chinese province of Hainan, which annually brings together more than 29 countries from Asia and Oceania. Founded in 2001, its main objective is to promote the economic integration of the continent.
According to the report, the region’s economic growth will be driven by greater integration between countries, in addition to the Asian vocation in the technology sector, which should continue to expand in the coming years. The South is the region that is expected to experience the biggest increase, with a projected GDP increase of 6.3%. Next is Central Asia, with a outlook of 4.3%.
UNCERTAINTY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The BFA document does not delve into the situation of Middle Eastern countries under pressure from .
The report says that the military conflict not only causes direct economic shocks, but also introduces uncertainty for the continent. However, it does not precisely address how the Asian economy should be impacted.
Regarding the westernmost region of the continent, where the main effects of the war are concentrated, the BFA projection is for a 2.3% growth in regional GDP.
The war will also put pressure on the main Asian economies, such as China, Japan, India and South Korea, which depend on the oil that crosses the Strait of Hormuz –– to meet their domestic demand.
However, the report says that the outlook for 2026 remains positive and is supported by “resilience” continent’s economy to withstand pressure in the Middle East and guide investments in areas that boost regional development.
“The Asian economy continues to have relatively strong resilience. Most Asian economies have solid macroeconomic fundamentals and relatively broad policy space, providing strategic buffers to withstand external shocks”says the document.
