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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area forecasted to outperform its 2025 efficiency despite soft oil revenues and continuous global uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and slowly enhancing oil output.

However the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly consistent global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a major motorist of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable incomes are expected to sustain a rise in consumer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to stay raised as access to financial services expands. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decline, offering families and businesses further inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed photo.

Emerging Strategic Shifts Shaping the 2026 Regional Market

This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and international need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, sticks out as a local outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its overall economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. However, the report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending measures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm dangers connected to oil prices and global need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in principles: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal planning. With these aspects aligning, the region is preparing for among its most well balanced durations of expansion over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly consistent global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic product of the GCC region is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development will rise 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 expanding non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their global peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that headline inflation is anticipated to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by further cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will reduce financial obligation maintenance expenses and boost non reusable income and need," said the report.