These Economists Nailed Their 2025 Forecast: Here's What They Say About 2026

Economic Outlook - The U.S. economy is expected to experience solid growth in 2026, with lower unemployment and slightly reduced inflation compared to 2025 [2][9] - Vanguard's forecast for 2026 includes a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.2% from 4.6% in November 2025, driven by increased investments in AI and other projects [7] Employment and Job Market - The job market is anticipated to rebound in 2026 after a sluggish performance in 2025, as businesses increase investments and economic growth drives demand for workers [7][9] Economic Growth - GDP growth is projected at 2.25% for 2026, supported by strong investment numbers and fiscal policy changes, particularly tax cuts from the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" [7][10] Inflation Trends - Inflation is expected to remain elevated due to the continued impact of tariffs, with consumer prices rising by 2.6% in 2026, slightly down from 2.8% in September 2025 [10][11]