
The Iran war is "testing the resilience of the global economy," and is set to dampen economic growth this year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in a report released on Thursday.
Global growth is forecast to slow to 2.9% this year before edging back up to 3.0% in 2027, according to the OECD.
The unpredictable trajectory of the Middle East conflict was driving up costs and dampening demand, offsetting the positive impetus from investment in new technologies and the momentum carried over from the previous year, it said.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy infrastructure had caused a sharp rise in energy prices and disrupted supplies of other key materials such as fertilizer, according to the OECD.
The scale and duration of the conflict were highly uncertain, but a prolonged period of higher energy prices would significantly increase costs for businesses and consumer prices, with negative consequences for growth, the OECD said.
The "evolving conflict [...] generates significant uncertainty around global demand," it said.
In the US, growth is expected to slow from 2.0% this year to 1.7% next year, the OECD forecast, as strong investment in artificial intelligence is gradually offset by a slowdown in income growth and consumer spending.
In the eurozone, the OECD expects growth to slow to 0.8% this year before recovering to 1.2% in 2027, boosted by higher defence spending.
In China, growth is projected to fall to 4.4% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027.
The conflict was also weighing on the growth of the German economy, which the OECD said would grow by only 0.8% this year - 0.2 percentage points less than forecast in its previous economic outlook in December.
Growth of 1.5% is still expected for 2027, unchanged from the previous forecast.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
When fake data is a good thing – how synthetic data trains AI to solve real problems - 2
The Most Astonishing Arising Advances to Watch - 3
Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules after controversial allegations against Israel - 4
Police investigate Lahav 433 officer accused of sexually harassing subordinate policewoman - 5
Which sandwich do you find totally delectable? !
Scientists find twisting magnetic waves on the sun. Could this help solve a huge solar mystery?
Dominating the Remote Work Way of life: Individual Systems
The most effective method to Shield Your Gold Ventures: Procedures and Precautionary measures
CDC vaccine panel delays vote to stop recommending hepatitis B shot at birth
Moon rocket and weather are on NASA's side for the first astronaut launch in decades
Survey: Canteen Cups With Great Warm Protection Impact
Artemis 2 astronauts reveal adorable zero-g indicator 'Rise' | Space photo of the day for March 31, 2026
Transform the daily grind to make life more interesting – a philosopher shares 3 strategies to help you attain the good life
From Overpowered to Coordinated: Individual Accounts of Cleaning up













