Global Industrial Production Picked Up in 2026Q1  

Production Indexes, World and Country Group Aggregates, March 2026

Contributors: Abdulrahman Gweder and Anthony Silungwe

Global industrial production gained momentum in the first quarter of 2026 rising 0.5 percent, building on the pickup recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, with all regions posting growth. Output in advanced economies rebounded to 0.2 percent growth compared to a decline of the same magnitude in the fourth quarter 2025.

The expansion was driven almost entirely by emerging markets and developing economies. Factory output in these economies increased by 0.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026, matching the pace of the previous quarter. Emerging and developing Asia remained the main contributor to global industrial growth, contributing 0.3 percentage points.

Within the first quarter of 2026, there has been steady pickup of growth in all regions with March recording highest growth than February and January at 0.8 percent, 0.4 percent and 0.3 percent respectively. Emerging and Developing Europe was the only sub-region that recorded a decline (1.8 percent) in January.

Notes: Seasonally adjusted World and Country Group Aggregate estimates are based on a sample of 118 economies that disseminate an Industrial Production (IP) index. Country Group Aggregates are based on WEO classification.

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