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Business news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and data covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region projected to surpass its 2025 efficiency regardless of soft oil earnings and continuous worldwide unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually improving oil output.

However the most current forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic demand and a broadly steady international backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major chauffeur of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are expected to sustain a surge in consumer spending across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to stay elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are likely to decrease, offering homes and companies even more impetus to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more depending on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and worldwide demand enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, sticks out as a local outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its overall economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan anticipates a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

In spite of shortterm risks connected to oil rates and global demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in principles: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these factors lining up, the region is preparing for one of its most balanced durations of growth in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

Emerging Strategic Trends Shaping the 2026 GCC Market

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly steady global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC area is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial development in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued progress toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to outperform their international peers. Oxford Economics said that low inflation has assisted protect growth in real non reusable earnings, which has also been supported by strong demand and extremely low unemployment rates."We do not imagine any let-up, as federal governments continue to promote greater foreign direct investment in their push to diversify their economies far from oil and gas," the report included.

In December, the IMF even more said that heading inflation is expected to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is expected to stay elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and loaning is predicted to be supported by more cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving financial policy further, which in turn will decrease financial obligation servicing costs and enhance non reusable income and need," said the report.