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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area predicted to exceed its 2025 performance regardless of muted oil incomes and ongoing international unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP development is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic demand and a broadly steady worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant driver of the region's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable incomes are expected to sustain a rise in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise anticipated to remain elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC reserve banks anticipated to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are likely to decline, giving families and organizations further motivation to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a combined picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and worldwide need improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a local outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its total financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 portion points. The report notes that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical spending procedures are activated to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement agendas.

Despite shortterm risks tied to oil rates and international demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in principles: durable customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and strategic financial planning. With these elements lining up, the area is preparing for one of its most well balanced durations of expansion in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly stable international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest 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 forecasted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no notable impact on regional growth, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "On the other hand, oil production has actually gradually increased, providing a boost to the region's economies. We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic development in the region 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 continued development towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that heading inflation is anticipated to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and financing is projected to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance expenses and improve disposable income and need," said the report.