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Organization news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and data 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 region projected to outperform its 2025 performance despite soft oil earnings and continuous global unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

The newest projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly consistent international backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant driver of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable earnings are anticipated to fuel a surge in consumer spending across the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise anticipated to stay raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decline, providing households and companies further inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more depending on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international need enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports expected to lift its total financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan prepares for a 6 per cent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by 2 portion points. However, the report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs procedures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Regardless of shortterm threats connected to oil rates and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in basics: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these factors aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most well balanced periods of growth recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic product of the GCC area is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial growth in the area is set to speed up 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 continued progress toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their global peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is anticipated to remain listed 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 growth is expected to stay raised in the GCC region during 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and lending is predicted to be supported by more cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by reducing financial policy further, which in turn will lower debt maintenance costs and boost disposable earnings and demand," said the report.