Thai digital GDP is expected to expand 4.2% in 2026, slowing from anticipated growth of 5% this year, in line with global economic and trade trends next year, according to the National Board of Digital Economy and Society.
Thai digital GDP in 2023 was 6.2% before expanding to 7.3% in 2024.
Global trade in 2026 is predicted to decelerate due to several factors, including risk from the ongoing US-China trade war and the impact of US tariffs.
However, the country's digital GDP growth in 2026 will still be 2.1 times the country's projected total GDP for that year, according to the board.
Wetang Phuangsup, secretary-general of the board, said the digital economy is a key driver of the Thai economy.
The Finance Ministry projects 2% GDP growth for the country next year.
The digital economy accounts for 28.2% of GDP this year, while this is expected to rise to 29% in 2026 and 30% in 2027.
The International Monetary Fund projects 3.1% global economic growth in 2026, down from the anticipated expansion of 3.2% in 2025.
Thailand's Fiscal Policy Office projects 2.0% growth for the Thai economy in 2026.
Mr Wetang said Thailand's digital GDP should not expand by less than 5% as the digital economic sector is one of the core economic engines.
According to the board, investment in the digital economy is expected to grow by 3% in 2025, mainly driven by the government's policy of wooing foreign digital economy investment. This policy is projected to result in 6.2% growth in private sector digital investment in 2026, while public sector digital investment is expected to contract by 1.6%.
The panel predicted private consumption in the digital industry next year to grow by 1.1%, slowing from 2025. Government digital consumption is expected to contract by 2.2%, a less severe decline than that of 2025.
Digital exports and services in 2026 are expected to grow by 4.5%, down from 2025, while imports will rebound to 1.6% growth after a projected contraction in 2025.
The digital hardware sector is expected to grow 4.5% next year, down from a projected 7.4% in 2025.
The digital services industry is expected expand 3.3% next year, up from a forecast of 3.1% in 2025, according to the board.
The telecom industry is projected to expand 3.9% next year, up from a 3.6% gain in 2025.
The smart devices industry should grow by 5.5% next year, falling from a 7.1% forecast for 2025, while the software industry is expected to grow by 7.8%, a decrease from 9.3% projected in 2025.
The digital content industry is expected to grow by 6.9% next year, the same rate as this year.
Digital services and others are expected to grow by 6.1% in 2026, on par with a 6.2% gain expected this year.