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Business news and financial news, analysis, opinion and statistics covering the 6 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 accelerate in 2026, with the region predicted to outperform its 2025 performance despite muted oil earnings and continuous global unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually improving oil output.

The most current projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic demand and a broadly consistent worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a major driver of the region's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable incomes are anticipated to fuel a surge in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise forecast to remain elevated as access to monetary services expands. With GCC main banks anticipated to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decline, offering families and companies even more inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined photo.

Analysing 2026 GCC Data for Strategic Insights

This might weigh on firsthalf growth, especially for economies more reliant on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten and global demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its total financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan prepares for a 6 per cent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. However, the report notes that these cuts may not materialise totally if countercyclical spending procedures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

In spite of shortterm dangers tied to oil costs and international need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in principles: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal planning. With these aspects aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most well balanced periods of expansion over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly constant global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC area is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 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 represented 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's ongoing development towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their worldwide peers. Oxford Economics said that low inflation has actually assisted protect development in genuine disposable income, which has likewise been supported by strong demand and extremely low unemployment rates."We do not envision any let-up, as federal governments continue to press for higher foreign direct financial investment in their push to diversify their economies far from oil and gas," the report added.

In December, the IMF further said that heading inflation is expected to stay listed 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 expected to stay elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by additional cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance expenses and increase non reusable income and need," stated the report.