Ad spend is forecast to grow three and a half times faster than the economy in 2026
forecast 2026 growth
ad spend9.1%
GDP2.6%
StatPaid Media
Global ad spend is forecast to grow 9.1% in 2026 against global GDP growth of 2.6% - three and a half times faster. Advertising is no longer growing in step with the economy that funds it.
Source
Meta, Top Trends 2026 - Marketing trends to help you win in 2026 (2026)
Meta
Meta, Top Trends 2026, s. 3; WARC Media 2025 and World Bank 2026
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