GDP growth is projected to slow to 1.0% in 2026 and 0.8% in 2027 following heightened attacks on civilian infrastructure during the winter of 2025 and the onset of the conflict in the Middle East. Ongoing shortages of skilled labour will constrain output growth and sustain high real wage growth, thus supporting consumption. More restrictive global trade policies will weigh on exports. Ongoing defence needs will continue to result in a large fiscal deficit as well as wide trade and current account deficits. The projections assume that the current scale of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is maintained through the projection horizon, as well as the extent of external support.
Ensuring that inflation expectations remain anchored and monetary policy is responsive to the renewed surge in inflation will support longer-term economic stability. Sustaining structural reforms to improve the business climate and raise public revenues while reducing compliance burdens would support the economy’s resilience through the full-scale invasion.