The global digital economy is expected to grow by 9.5% in 2026, outpacing overall economic expansion by a factor of three, according to a new assessment released by the Saudi Arabia-based Digital Cooperation Organization.
Drawing on survey responses from more than 400 policymakers, economists, and technology executives across 26 countries, the Digital Economy Trends 2026 report identifies 18 forces reshaping digital activity, and estimates that the sector will reach 28 trillion USD next year, equivalent to 22% of global GDP.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya said the digital economy was “reshaping our world with unprecedented speed”, while warning that the benefits of rapid technological change must be broadly shared. “The future of the digital economy will be defined not by the speed of innovation, but by how inclusively it is built,” she said, calling for stronger foundations to ensure that advances in artificial intelligence remain accessible and safe.
Among the trends expected to have the most significant socio-economic impact next year are rising demand for end-to-end cybersecurity, as governments and companies confront increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, and the emergence of ambient intelligence as AI-enabled systems become embedded in everyday environments.
Over a three-to-five-year horizon, the report argues that converging frontier technologies — spanning AI, robotics, spatial computing, and biotechnology — will exert the greatest transformative effect, accelerating experimentation while heightening challenges around workforce adaptation, digital infrastructure, governance, and safety frameworks.
The DCO highlights substantial economic potential as digital adoption accelerates. Key opportunities include up to $4.14 trillion from immersive hybrid technologies, $4.91 trillion linked to AI-driven workforce transformation, $3.63 trillion from expanded digital trade, and $3.13 trillion in value associated with strengthened cybersecurity and more resilient infrastructure.
Preparedness varies widely across regions and industries, although the private sector is viewed by respondents as the most ready to respond to the shifts expected in 2026.
The report complements the DCO’s Digital Economy Navigator, which measures national digital maturity. Together, the tools aim to help governments, businesses, and international partners prioritise investment and policy interventions.
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