Predicting the 2026 Middle East Corporate Landscape

Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and stats covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region forecasted to outperform its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil incomes and continuous global uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a resistant nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

The newest projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic demand and a broadly steady global background. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the region's financial efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable incomes are expected to sustain a rise in customer costs across the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to remain raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC reserve banks anticipated to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are likely to decrease, offering households and services even more inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined picture.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more dependent on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and global need enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports expected to lift its overall economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget expects a 6 per cent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 portion points. The report notes that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical costs steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm dangers tied to oil costs and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these aspects aligning, the area is getting ready for one of its most balanced durations of expansion in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no significant effect on local development, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "On the other hand, oil production has slowly increased, providing an increase to the area's economies. We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic growth in the area is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

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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 ongoing progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that heading inflation is anticipated to remain 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 growth is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will decrease financial obligation servicing expenses and improve non reusable income and need," said the report.