
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
Robert Irwin on winning 'Dancing With the Stars' 10 years after sister Bindi: 'This was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more' - 2
Israel says it will keep control over part of southern Lebanon after war with Hezbollah ends - 3
Amy Poehler's podcast is a hit. It's also a Trojan horse for talking about women and aging. - 4
Why Tourists May Want To Reconsider Traveling To This Popular Spot In Italy In 2026 - 5
NASA releases new photos of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
Sally Rooney books may be withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action ban, court told
'Stranger Things' star debunks claims of 'unseen footage' from Season 5, Volume 2 as backlash intensifies ahead of the series finale
Two policemen injured at religious youth protest in Jerusalem marking Ahuvia Sandak's death
Black Friday Paramount+ deal: Save 50% and stream these buzzy Taylor Sheridan shows
Wellness Bits of knowledge Readily available: A Survey of \Following Wellbeing and Progress\ Wellness Wearables
6 Shades Brands For Seniors
Washington resident contracts bird flu, first human case in U.S. since February
All the ways Marjorie Taylor Greene has shifted her approach lately — and why Trump is 'surprised at her'
Fiber is something most people could use more of. But experts advise caution with 'fibermaxxing'










