Beyond Borders: How to navigate growth markets

By Denis Depoux, Torsten Henzelmann and Saumitra Sehgal

Introduction

Follow our Project Manager, Scott Schenkelberg, as he explores the specific opportunities and challenges of entering new markets. He portrays each market using relevant statistics and talks to several key Roland Berger experts who share their personal experience. Each episode summarizes in 6 to 10 minutes key insights from recent Roland Berger Institute publications.

Episode 1: India

India's economy has undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from an agrarian base to a global services hub and becoming the world's fifth-largest economy, with projections to reach third by 2030. This growth is largely unique due to its primary reliance on robust domestic demand, fueled by a massive and expanding middle class.

Significant government investment in infrastructure, alongside a burgeoning digital transformation, further propels this internal growth engine. India's young population, with a median age of 28, presents a substantial demographic dividend, providing a large and dynamic workforce. While facing challenges in manufacturing and labor, India's distinct development path makes it a compelling case study for economic growth.

Find more information on India here: India’s remarkable economic ascent: A distinct story of growth | Roland Berger

Episode 2: China

China is undergoing a profound economic pivot, shifting from a long-standing export-driven and investment-heavy model toward one centered on domestic consumption and innovation. This transformation faces significant hurdles, including a property crisis, industrial overcapacity, and weak internal demand that signals a balance sheet recession. In response to escalating geopolitical pressure, particularly US tech constraints, China is accelerating its drive for technological sovereignty, resulting in rapid breakthroughs in areas like AI and semiconductors.

Simultaneously, Chinese companies are initiating a "new era of globalization"—moving beyond merely exporting goods to establish extensive, localized global production, R&D, and supply chain footprints across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas to mitigate trade barriers and secure necessary market access for long-term growth.

Find more information on China here: Navigating disruption: China's economic model in a world in transition | Roland Berger

Episode 3: Europe

Europe faces serious challenges due to structural weaknesses like a demographic headwind, high energy costs, excessive regulation, and a widening investment gap. However, the Eurozone possesses significant opportunities to secure its prosperity. Policymakers must implement bold reforms, including creating a unified EU capital market to unlock private investment and rolling back overregulation.

Crucially, the continent still maintains a healthy trade surplus with the US and has highly competitive firms globally. Businesses must capitalize on this strength by actively investing in R&D and key technologies, adopting smart localization strategies in high-growth markets like the Global South, and restructuring to create a foundation for a decade of renewed expansion.

Find more information on Europe here: Europe’s Growth Problem | Roland Berger