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Inside the executive mind: how leaders see the global economy in 2026

As 2026 approaches, business leaders are navigating an era defined by uncertainty and transformation. Growth remains uneven, geopolitical risks continue to evolve, and technology is redrawing the boundaries of competitiveness. In this environment, foresight and agility are becoming the defining traits of corporate leadership.

Across EICN’s global network of members, executives are asking familiar but urgent questions: Will emerging markets offset slower Western demand? Can firms maintain competitiveness amid rising protectionism? How will artificial intelligence reshape productivity and the workforce?

To capture these perspectives, EICN is once again launching its annual Business outlook survey 2026 — a unique opportunity for senior executives to share their expectations for investment, performance, and risk in the year ahead.

The world in transition: growth, risk and reinvention

The global economy enters 2026 with tempered optimism. Growth is positive but uneven, shaped by regional divergence and domestic resilience. Asia and the Middle East continue to attract capital as governments pursue diversification and energy-transition strategies, while Europe and the Americas contend with slower demand and tighter financing conditions.

For corporate leaders, the challenge is one of allocation — knowing where to invest, where to hold steady, and where to scale back. While last year’s survey showed executives highly bullish on Asia’s growth markets, including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the critical question for this year is: How have the new geopolitical realities changed the calculus for capital allocation and supply chain exposure across these key markets?

Yet economic ambiguity is only part of the story. Geopolitical risk has clearly become a structural feature of the business landscape. From trade friction and election cycles to regulatory fragmentation, firms are building resilience into their operating models. Just how much and what concrete steps they are taking is a question we are exploring in this year’s survey. Resilience is no longer about endurance; it is about adaptability.

Technology, sustainability, and the next competitive frontier

Technology and sustainability now sit at the centre of corporate transformation. Advances in AI, automation, and digital infrastructure are redefining efficiency, while the pressure to meet ESG and climate-related commitments continues to shape strategic priorities.

In EICN’s 2025 survey, greater ESG adoption and climate change ranked among the top three global developments seen as offering the biggest business opportunities. Yet as AI commands ever more corporate attention and ESG faces renewed scrutiny, the narrative may be shifting. Will sustainability be sidelined or can technology and sustainability emerge as the twin engines of corporate growth and resilience?

On-demand webinar

In this on-demand webinar, our lead analysts explored the core findings of Corporate Network’s 2026 edition of the Business outlook survey. They examined how your peers are interpreting new risks and where they are identifying genuine resilience. This session moves beyond the data to offer a practical interpretation of executive sentiment and the real-world implications for operations in 2026.

Watch on-demand