WB predicts Vietnam's GDP to be highest in East Asia

According to the latest report from the World Bank (WB), Vietnam's GDP in 2026 is forecast to grow by 6.3%, the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the recently released “Global Economic Prospects” report, the organization World Bank (WB) predicts that Vietnam's GDP growth in 2025 will reach 6.6%. This figure is 0.1 percentage points higher than the organization's previous forecast in October 2024.

The World Bank predicts that Vietnam's GDP will grow by 6.3% in 2026, the highest in the East Asia-Pacific region. Illustration photo: kinhtetrunguong.vn

Notably, the World Bank also forecasts that Vietnam's GDP will grow by 6.3% in 2026. Although 0.2% lower than the previous forecast, our country's GDP growth is forecast to lead other countries in the region, surpassing major economies such as Mongolia (6.1%), the Philippines (6.0%), Thailand (5.1%) and China (4.0%).

Overall, the WB forecasts growth GDP Growth in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region will slow gradually over the coming year, from 4.6% in 2025 to 4.1% in 2026, mainly due to the slowdown in China. Excluding China, EAP economies are forecast to maintain growth of 4.7% in 2026, supported by strong domestic demand.

In 2024, growth in EAP economies excluding China is estimated to reach 4.8%, up from 4.3% in 2023, thanks to the recovery of trade in goods, domestic tourism and domestic demand. Notably, the WB pointed out Vietnam as a bright spot in economic growth in the region, thanks to its strong export capacity.

In the coming years, the World Bank said, the regional economic outlook still faces some risks, mainly due to uncertainties in global trade, along with the slowing Chinese economy. Other risks include escalating geopolitical conflicts, and global inflation.

The US economic outlook could also support, or dampen, EAP exports, depending on the strength of domestic consumption. In addition, instability in the Middle East and natural disasters due to climate change are expected to continue to weigh on the region’s growth outlook.

Regarding the global economy, the World Bank forecasts that the global economy will grow by 2.7% in both 2025 and 2026, equivalent to the rate of 2024. However, this is a weaker growth rate than the pre-pandemic period, when economies continued to face high inflation and interest rates.

The World Bank stressed that this growth rate is insufficient to reduce poverty and achieve global development goals. The report also pointed out that developing economies, which contribute 60% of global growth, are facing the weakest long-term growth prospects since 2000.

Source