According to a report released at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026, the economic growth rate in Asia is expected to slightly slow down this year due to factors such as geopolitical risks and a backlash against protectionism.
The forecast released by the forum on Tuesday indicates that the economic growth rate in Asia is projected to be 4.5% this year, down from last year's estimate of 4.7%. South Asia is expected to become the fastest-growing region, with a growth rate projected to reach 6.3%, but this represents a decline of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2025.
Researchers from institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences pointed out in the report: &#34;The trade and economic policy direction of regional economies, adjustments in industrial layout, and the construction of cooperation frameworks are increasingly influenced by external forces, global issues, and geopolitical factors, rather than being determined solely by domestic market demand and economic complementarity.&#34; The report also noted: &#34;The process of economic integration in Asia has entered a more complex new stage.&#34;
One of the report's authors, Zhang Yuyan, a senior economist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that protectionism has a significant impact on regional trade and economics in Asia.
He indicated that most economies in Asia are still in an expansionary fiscal policy phase to maintain stable economic growth; monetary policy remains relatively loose overall, but with rising inflation expectations, adjustments in the future cannot be ruled out.
He also added that this year's inflation rate in Asia may be slightly higher than in 2025. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Boao Forum for Asia. Zhang Jun, the forum's secretary-general and former Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed understanding that some important guests are unable to attend this year's Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference due to the current tensions in the Middle East.
In the context of profound changes in the global landscape and the spillover of regional conflicts, he called on all parties concerned to immediately cease fire and return to the path of diplomatic negotiations

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MCHI

The Boao Forum for Asia released a report predicting that the economic growth rate in Asia will slow to 4.5% in 2023, down from 4.7% last year. South Asia is expected to become the fastest-growing region, with a growth rate of 6.3%. The report points out that geopolitical risks and protectionism have a significant impact on economic policies, and inflation rates may be higher than in 2025. The forum's secretary-general called for all parties to cease fire and return to diplomatic negotiations

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Boao Forum | Report expects Asia's economic growth to be 4.5% this year, with inflation rates higher than in 2025