New Delhi, July 9 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its economic growth forecast for developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to 4.9 per cent for 2026, down from the 5.5 per cent growth recorded in 2025. This downgrade represents a reduction of 0.2 percentage points from the projections released in April, according to the latest economic outlook from ADB.

Prolonged disruptions to global energy markets, driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, have weighed more heavily on the economic prospects of the region than previously anticipated.

The report, titled the Asian Development Outlook July 2026, noted that these market disruptions are expected to unwind only gradually despite a framework agreement signed in June. ...