[Economists Raise 2026 U.S. Economic Growth Forecast, Expect Slower Fed Rate Cuts] On November 25, a survey by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) showed that the median forecast for U.S. economic growth in 2026 is 2%, up from 1.8% in October and 1.3% in June. The inflation rate is expected to be 2.9% this year, slightly declining to 2.6% in 2026. Job growth is projected to remain weak, with an average monthly increase of 64,000 non-farm jobs in 2026, lower than the October forecast of 75,000. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.5% throughout the year. Economists predict that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 25 basis points in December and by another 50 basis points in 2026, bringing the policy rate closer to a neutral level.