Jakarta, May 21 -- The Asia-Pacific region's economy grew 3.3 percent in 2025, exceeding earlier projections of 3.2 percent, but recent analysis warned that momentum may be fading, according to an APEC statement issued on Thursday.

Growth is projected to ease to 3.1 percent in 2026 and moderate further to 3.0 percent in 2027, as output expansion slows in more than half of APEC economies, according to the latest report by the APEC Policy Support Unit.

The report attributes the weakening outlook to wider disruptions in the Middle East, which has sent oil prices surging by 52.8 percent since February 2026 from USD68 to USD103.9 per barrel in March, disrupting global shipping and logistics and pushing food prices higher across the region. ...