State of the global economy: Navigating a new era of heightened uncertainty

Just as the world began to show signs of recovery after a series of adverse shocks in the past few years, the global economy is once again contending with mounting economic and political headwinds. Rising trade tensions and heightened policy uncertainty are fueling economic instability. Rapidly escalating geopolitical conflicts, including the recent Iran-Israel war, threaten to further upend global economic prospects.

Against this backdrop, what should we expect in the next year and beyond? As the era of free trade has come to a halt and protectionist measures gain traction, how will the patterns of international trade shift? Will this trend create a worldwide recession, and how can policymakers navigate these uncertain times?

On Thursday, July 10, the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution will convene a panel of experts to discuss the state of the global economy and their views on the path ahead. A presentation of the key messages from the June 2025 edition of the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report will motivate the conversation.

This event will feature introductory remarks by Brahima S. Coulibaly, vice president of the Global program, and will be followed by a presentation on the findings of the World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The presentation will then lead to a moderated panel discussion among leading experts on the global economy.

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