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Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and statistics covering the six 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 accelerate in 2026, with the area projected to surpass its 2025 efficiency regardless of soft oil profits and ongoing international uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP development is expected to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

The newest forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly consistent global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable incomes are expected to sustain a rise in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is also forecast to stay elevated as access to monetary services widens. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are likely to decrease, providing households and companies further motivation to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended picture.

How to Maintain a Competitive Edge in 2026

This might weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands apart as a local outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports expected to lift its general financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 percentage points. However, the report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise completely 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 agendas.

In spite of shortterm risks tied to oil costs and global need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these factors aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most well balanced periods of growth over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

How to Scale Regional Operations in 2026

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current 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 forecasted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has actually had no noteworthy influence on regional development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "Meanwhile, oil production has gradually increased, supplying an increase to the region's economies. We expect GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial development in the area is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's ongoing development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that headline inflation is anticipated to stay listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and somewhat above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is expected to remain raised in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and loaning is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving financial policy even more, which in turn will lower debt servicing costs and improve non reusable income and need," said the report.