Reviewing New GCC Research for Future Growth

Company news and monetary news, analysis, viewpoint 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 across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area projected to surpass its 2025 performance in spite of soft oil revenues and ongoing international uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

The latest projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly steady worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant driver of the region's financial efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable incomes are anticipated to sustain a rise in customer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to remain elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow anticipated United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are likely to decrease, offering households and services even more motivation to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended picture.

Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for 2026 Growth

This could weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten and worldwide demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a regional outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports expected to raise its total financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan anticipates a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by 2 portion points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical spending steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development programs.

Despite shortterm threats connected to oil prices and global demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in principles: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these elements lining up, the area is getting ready for one of its most balanced durations of growth recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

Navigating the 2026 Middle East Corporate Landscape

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to remain resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic product 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 stated that economic 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 overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's ongoing development toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their international peers.

In December, the IMF further said that headline inflation is anticipated to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 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 stay elevated in the GCC region during 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 decrease debt maintenance expenses and boost non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.