World economic forum - Chief Economists Outlook September 2025

The World Economic Forum's September 2025 Chief Economists Outlook provides a comprehensive assessment of global economic conditions based on surveys and insights from leading international economists. The report examines regional economic performance, inflation dynamics, monetary policy trajectories, and structural shifts in labor markets driven by technological transformation. It presents a nuanced picture of the global economy, with significant divergence between advanced and emerging economies, and highlights the complex interplay between technological innovation, demographic changes, and economic policy responses.

This report matters significantly for policymakers, business leaders, and investors because it represents collective intelligence from top economic experts across major international institutions and private sector organizations. The insights help shape economic policy decisions, investment strategies, and business planning by providing forward-looking assessments of economic trends. For governments, it informs fiscal and monetary policy calibration, while businesses can use the findings to navigate market uncertainties and identify growth opportunities. The analysis of AI's economic impact is particularly relevant for workforce planning and educational institutions preparing for future skill requirements.

The findings suggest that the global economy is navigating a complex transition period characterized by technological transformation and policy normalization. The regional divergence in economic performance indicates that one-size-fits-all policy approaches are increasingly inadequate, requiring more targeted and coordinated international responses. The persistent inflation concerns, particularly in services sectors, suggest that the transition to stable price environments may be more protracted than initially anticipated. The rapid advancement of AI technologies presents both opportunities for productivity enhancement and challenges for workforce adaptation, potentially exacerbating inequality if not managed through appropriate education and social protection policies. A key limitation to consider is that the outlook represents expert consensus at a specific point in time and may not fully capture unexpected geopolitical or financial market developments that could rapidly alter economic trajectories.

Based on the report's analysis, policymakers should prioritize targeted interventions that address regional economic disparities while maintaining vigilance against inflation risks. Businesses should focus on building resilience through diversification and investing in workforce adaptation to technological changes. Educational institutions and governments need to accelerate the development of skills training programs that prepare workers for AI-driven economic transformations. International cooperation remains crucial for managing cross-border economic challenges, particularly in areas of financial stability, climate transition, and technological governance. Stakeholders across sectors should maintain flexible strategies that can adapt to the evolving economic landscape described in the outlook.