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Business news and financial news, analysis, opinion and stats covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area projected to outshine its 2025 performance regardless of muted oil revenues and ongoing international uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly constant global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant motorist of the region's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable earnings are anticipated to sustain a rise in customer spending across the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise anticipated to remain elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decrease, giving homes and businesses further incentive to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended image.

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This could weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a local outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to raise its overall financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget expects a 6 per cent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical spending steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

In spite of shortterm dangers connected to oil prices and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in principles: durable customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these aspects aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most balanced periods of expansion in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly steady international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic item of the GCC region is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that economic development in the area is set to accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening 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 progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to exceed their global peers. Oxford Economics said that low inflation has actually helped secure growth in genuine disposable earnings, which has likewise been supported by strong demand and very low unemployment rates."We do not imagine any let-up, as federal governments continue to push for greater foreign direct investment in their push to diversify their economies away from oil and gas," the report included.

In December, the IMF even more said that headline inflation is expected to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is anticipated to remain raised in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing expenses and boost non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.