In a series of recent discussions and public addresses, including an interview in London Daily Post, the award-winning author and researcher has challenged the prevailing narrative of a “soft landing.” Professor Stan argues that the global economy is currently ignoring structural fractures that mirror, and in some ways exceed, the conditions seen before the 2008 Great Recession.
Source: Université Paris Cité, 2024
The “Unseen Earthquake” Paradigm
Professor Stan compares financial crises to unseen earthquakes. While the exact moment of the “snap” is impossible to pinpoint, the seismic tension is measurable. According to the researcher, three specific pillars of the global economy are currently flashing “red”:
The Debt-to-Skills Gap: highlights that while global debt has swelled to unprecedented levels, the “real currency” of the future, adaptable human skills, is not keeping pace. He suggests that wealth alone will not protect individuals in the coming turmoil; only “knowledge-based resilience” will.
The “Shadow” Threat: Beyond traditional banking, professor Stan points to the massive expansion of unregulated credit markets. With interest rates remaining higher for longer to combat stubborn inflation, the “fragility” of these debt loads is reaching a breaking point.
Artificial Illusion: While AI is driving stock market gains, professor Stan warns of an “AI bubble” that may be masking a softening labor market and declining consumer affordability.
“Predicting the exact collapse is nearly impossible, but the warning signs are always there,” the researcher noted during his address. “The question is no longer if, but when. The future belongs to those who prepare their minds, not just their portfolios.”
A Diverging Global Outlook
Professor Stan’s warnings come at a time of intense debate among economic forecasters. While the IMF and UNCTAD project a modest global growth of approximately 2.7% to 3.1% for 2026, they also acknowledge “persistent uncertainty.”
The “K-Shaped” Reality
A core component of the thesis is the “K-shaped” trap. While the top tier of the economy benefits from AI-driven equity growth, the bottom 50% is already feeling the squeeze of a “silent recession.” Rising costs for housing, energy, and food are eroding disposable income, creating a social friction that professor Stan believes will accelerate the coming downturn.
How to Prepare
Rather than advocating for traditional “safe-haven” assets alone, the advice is unconventional:
- Invest in “Self-Currency”: Acquire skills that remain relevant when automated systems fail or markets freeze.
- De-leverage Early: Reduce exposure to high-interest debt before the “credit crunch” intensifies.
- Anticipate Volatility: Move away from the mindset of “permanent growth” and prepare for a period of “consolidation and consequence.”
As 2026 progresses, the world remains balanced on a fine line. Whether professor Stan’s warnings are a prophetic alarm or a cautious outlier remains to be seen, but for many, the “vibrations” he describes are becoming harder to ignore.
Source:
https://agerpres.ro/english/2025/11/14/romania-is-not-in-recession-but-economy-is-struggling-and-showing-first-signs-of-fatigue-analyst–1503030#:~:text=In%20conclusion%20Romania%20is%20not,we%20cannot%20afford%20to%20ignore.
https://londondailypost.co.uk/award-winning-economist-warns-of-2026-global-financial-shock/
https://datascienceconversations.com/podcasts/predicting-the-next-financial-crisis/#:~:text=In%20this%20episode%2C%20we%20had,financial%20crisis%20likely%20in%202027.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq3bR9jRr3w
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Florin-Alexandru-Stan
