Global Scans · Decent Work and Growth · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] 51% of manufacturers are currently using AI in their operations, 61% of manufacturers plan to increase investment in AI by 2027, and 80% of manufacturers believe AI will become critical to business growth or continuity by 2030. Consegic Business Intelligence
• [New] Life insurance premiums in India are projected to increase from INR 9.2 trillion (US$ 110.2 billion) in 2024 to INR 14.6 trillion (US$ 170 billion) in 2029, a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. Insurance Business
• [New] U.S. CTV ad spend is projected to increase from approximately $33.35 billion in 2025 to $38 billion in 2026, representing close to 14% year-over-year growth and firmly positioning Connected TV as a core channel in modern media strategies. AI Digital
• [New] Discover how project management can turn Africa's urban growth into a sustainable opportunity. AIA INTERNATIONAL
• [New] India's projected GDP growth and manufacturing sector expansion create secondary demand drivers supporting long-term network utilization and revenue stability. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Despite stronger-than-expected growth in the first quarter, China's growth moderated slightly in the second quarter, while domestic consumption and income growth have remained muted. Moody's Events
• [New] Asia leads the way in outlook, average annual growth and output Interact Analysis expects all regions to experience long-term growth through 2026 and out to 2030, with smaller territories having more headroom for strong growth. Machinery Market
• [New] Interact Analysis predicts 2.9% growth for 2026, up from 2% in 2025. Machinery Market
• [New] U.S. electricity consumption is forecasted to grow up to 25% by 2030, with over half of growth from data centers. Breckinridge Capital Advisors
• [New] More than half of manufacturers are already deploying artificial intelligence, and 80% say it will be essential to their growth by 2030. Dallas Innovates
• [New] Suppliers and exporters of liquid packaging solutions may find the greatest growth opportunities in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe, where import dependence and consumption growth are more pronounced. Precedence Research
• [New] Despite ongoing skills gaps, 83% of hiring managers are confident in their business outlook for the first half of 2026, with 43% expecting strong company growth. Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)
• [New] Not only is US growth expected to remain above par amid headwinds, but Asia is showing broad-based momentum while Europe and the UK hold around trend. Westpac IQ
• [New] Asia-Pacific is set to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period 2026-2035, owing to increasing patient population and advancements in MedTech innovations. Research Nester
• [New] S&P 500 earnings growth over the next two years is forecasted at 15% and 12.49%, respectively, while MSCI Emerging Markets come in at 19.43% and 28.2%. AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust LLC
• [New] 2026 will be the year satellite connectivity transforms business resilience and growth. Vodafone
• In 2026, while companies work to integrate AI into their systems, they will increasingly face issues such as system reliability, data quality, integration challenges, and a shortage of qualified talent. Turkiye Today
• Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the predicted timeframe and is expected to sustain as a leader in the upcoming period because of its huge consumer volume, strong digital environment, and early adoption of QR-based technologies in day-to-day life. Precedence Research

Last updated: 08 March 2026