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Strategic Planning for Regional Leadership

Published Aug 24, 26
2 min read


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

Leading the 2026 Regional Economic Environment for Leaders
ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Leading the 2026 Regional Economic Environment for Leaders

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.

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