How Does Operational Excellence Crucial for 2026 Expansion?

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable total conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide development reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures aimed at bring in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.