Taiwan is projected to be Asia's fastest-growing economy in 2026 at 11 per cent, powered by the global artificial intelligence boom, while India ranks sixth at 7 per cent, according to a new Visual Capitalist ranking based on the Asian Development Bank's Asian Development Outlook for September 2026.
Taiwan's projected growth places it well ahead of the other 17 Asian economies covered. Strong AI-related demand, particularly from the United States, has boosted its technology exports and investment, though the ranking notes that such concentrated growth carries risks if demand for AI products weakens.
Kyrgyzstan ranks second with projected growth of 8.9 per cent, followed by Vietnam at 7.8 per cent on the back of its growing role in global manufacturing and supply chains. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share the fourth and fifth spots at 7 per cent each, with their expansion supported by public and fixed investment, private consumption, services and industrial activity. Bhutan (6.5%), Georgia (6.3%), Turkmenistan (6.3%) and Mongolia (5.7%) round out the top ten. Indonesia is forecast at 5.2 per cent and China, Asia's largest economy, at 4.6 per cent.
India's position
The ADB expects India's 7 per cent expansion to be supported by investment demand and resilient services exports. The country's position is notable given its size: while smaller economies can post high growth from a lower base, India is already one of the world's largest economies. A separate Visual Capitalist analysis based on IMF projections estimated that India would account for about 17 per cent of global real GDP growth in 2026, second only to China.
Risks flagged
Despite the strong outlook, the ADB identifies geopolitical escalation, tighter financial conditions, trade uncertainty and El Nino among the key downside risks. Higher energy prices could also pressure economies that depend heavily on imported fuel.
Sources:
Business Today — Fastest growing Asian economies in 2026: Taiwan leads, India among top performers
Taiwan's projected growth places it well ahead of the other 17 Asian economies covered. Strong AI-related demand, particularly from the United States, has boosted its technology exports and investment, though the ranking notes that such concentrated growth carries risks if demand for AI products weakens.
Kyrgyzstan ranks second with projected growth of 8.9 per cent, followed by Vietnam at 7.8 per cent on the back of its growing role in global manufacturing and supply chains. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share the fourth and fifth spots at 7 per cent each, with their expansion supported by public and fixed investment, private consumption, services and industrial activity. Bhutan (6.5%), Georgia (6.3%), Turkmenistan (6.3%) and Mongolia (5.7%) round out the top ten. Indonesia is forecast at 5.2 per cent and China, Asia's largest economy, at 4.6 per cent.
India's position
The ADB expects India's 7 per cent expansion to be supported by investment demand and resilient services exports. The country's position is notable given its size: while smaller economies can post high growth from a lower base, India is already one of the world's largest economies. A separate Visual Capitalist analysis based on IMF projections estimated that India would account for about 17 per cent of global real GDP growth in 2026, second only to China.
Risks flagged
Despite the strong outlook, the ADB identifies geopolitical escalation, tighter financial conditions, trade uncertainty and El Nino among the key downside risks. Higher energy prices could also pressure economies that depend heavily on imported fuel.
Sources:
Business Today — Fastest growing Asian economies in 2026: Taiwan leads, India among top performers
