Forward-looking macroeconomic and geopolitical insights and trends

AI-enabled foresight to help you anticipate change and understand how major global economic and geopolitical shifts impact your strategic planning.

Overview

We provide strategic advice and insights to C-suite executives on economic and geopolitical developments given the uncertain external environment businesses operate in. Our goal is to translate complicated trends into simple pragmatic recommendations for our clients, supporting companies with corporate strategy development, scenario planning and wargaming. With hubs in North America, Europe and Asia, we work across a wide range of industries, helping businesses find growth and strengthen resilience in response to a changing world.

77%

of CXOs expect the economy to improve in the next 12 months.

89%

of CEOs plan to increase technology spending as a percentage of revenue in the next 12 months.

72%

of CFOs are concerned about inflation.

Future of Canada series

Cross-industry perspectives exploring Canada's path to growth, innovation, productivity, competitiveness and global leadership

1 1

The Resource Nexus

Canada’s energy, critical mineral, and grid strengths can power its return to economic growth and leadership in the AI economy. By supplying AI infrastructure domestically and providing low-carbon energy and critical minerals to allies, Canada can fuel global compute demand while capturing downstream value.

Explore more

The Case for Defence

Canada’s renewed commitment to defence investment is a catalyst for innovation and reindustrialization. By modernizing capabilities, deepening partnerships, and scaling dual-use technologies, Canada can strengthen its sovereignty and security while unlocking new growth across advanced manufacturing and the broader R&D ecosystem.

Explore more

Canada macro briefs

Economic and geostrategic insights for executives, boards and investors.

Nation-building at a crossroads

The inaugural Canada macro brief assesses the federal budget’s strategic implications for key Canadian industries and provides a quarterly outlook on the macro, economic, and geopolitical forces reshaping Canada’s growth, competitiveness, and role in an evolving global order.

Explore more

Monthly briefs

Economic insights for executives, boards and investors.

Year-end Macro Brief: 2026 outlook & top 10 trends

Despite resilience in 2025—supported by disinflation, cautious rate cuts and AI investment—global growth remained fragile and uneven amid policy uncertainty, geopolitics and trade tensions. In 2026, clearer policies will coexist with wider divergence, geoeconomic fragmentation, China-led competition and rising financial stress.

Explore more

Growth remains soft but stable, powered by AI-led and export sectors while traditional industries struggle. Inflation and uneven recovery are creating a “two-speed” dynamic that hides underlying weaknesses. AI investment is boosting productivity in select areas, widening performance gaps across sectors and pressing others to accelerate transformation to stay competitive.

Explore more

US tariffs are at their highest in a century, with reciprocal rates of 10-41% and sector tariffs of 25-50%. These measures could cut US GDP by at least 1% and add $2,400 in annual household costs, while heavily pressuring import-intensive sectors. Companies must strengthen resilience and adapt to a more fragmented global trade landscape.

Global growth is slowing amid tariffs, fiscal reform, and weaker demand. Targeted government spending boosts green tech, defense and digital sectors, but rising deficits and policy risks require disciplined capital allocation and regional agility.

Tariff uncertainty and policy volatility weigh on the global economy. Businesses must prepare for shifting demand and supply disruptions amid deteriorating sentiment and uneven regional outlooks.

Elevated tariff uncertainty and persistent policy volatility continue to weigh on the global economy. While activity and spending reflect frontloading and caution, sentiment is deteriorating. With uneven regional outlooks, businesses must prepare for shifting demand and supply disruptions.

The US faces its highest tariff rates in over a century, straining trade and key sectors. Despite signs of easing, uncertainty persists. Businesses should focus on financial resilience and scenario planning to navigate ongoing volatility.

Geopolitical tensions and economic shifts are reshaping AI, with trade, policy, and supply chain pressures creating uncertainty. Global powers race for AI leadership, pushing businesses to adapt to changing rules and investments.

In the spotlight

Explore our industry trends, data analysis and strategic recommendations in these special reports.

Global Economic Futures: Productivity in 2030

The World Economic Forum and Accenture present Global Economic Futures, a series of publications exploring key trends, vulnerabilities, and opportunities shaping the global economy. The first edition, Productivity in 2030, examines the interplay between technology and human capital, offering four scenarios that highlight the future of productivity and its implications for growth.

Read the report

Activist investors remain a major concern, with nearly a third of large public companies facing a high risk of targeting. While campaigns may lift short-term returns, they can undermine strategy and long-term value, making proactive, value-led leadership essential.

The global economy is entering a new era where supply scarcity drives outcomes. This Great Supply Squeeze will bring challenges but also opportunities for companies that adapt, offering a chance to gain a competitive edge in the new normal.

Read the report

Carbon reduction is key globally, driven by various pressures and complex climate economics. Carbon markets, especially growing voluntary ones, are vital for net zero goals, requiring companies to manage their carbon exposure effectively.

Read the report

34%

of the Accenture Global 2000 companies, which consists of the world’s largest companies by revenue, have publicly stated net zero targets, and that share is increasing rapidly.

How we work

Executive leadership and board briefings

Brief Boards and Executive teams on the evolving external environment and what it means for strategic planning.

Growth & market entry

Complement go-to-market strategies with assessment of macroeconomic trends in specific regions and/or industries to support long-term sustainable growth.

Economic impact assessments

Quantify the value of major capital projects and investment initiatives, accounting for economic, social and environmental benefits.

Scenario planning and wargaming

AI-enabled scenario planning and facilitation of table-top wargaming exercises which support strategic planning.

Foresight monitoring

Real-time monitoring of the external environment, including economic, consumer, technological and geopolitical developments, leveraging AI-enabled agents and techniques.