Global economic growth and payment revenues projected to moderate through 2030

Global economic and financial forecasts indicate a period of moderation. According to the McKinsey 2026 Global Payments Report, global payment revenues are projected to reach $3.2 trillion by 2030. While the sector saw rapid expansion between 2020 and 2025, annual growth is expected to slow from an average of 9% to approximately 4% between 2025 and 2030. This shift suggests a move from volume-driven growth toward a model requiring greater operational efficiency, sophisticated pricing, and technological capabilities.

Separately, UNCTAD reports that global economic growth is likely to decelerate to 2.6% in 2026, down from 2.9% the previous year. This slowdown is attributed to energy shocks stemming from the crisis in the Middle East. While trade in goods and services is expected to grow by 4%, the agency noted that trade between China and the US has fallen by more than 20% since 2024. Asia is projected to contribute 59% of global economic growth in 2026, led by India, China, and Indonesia.