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Organization news and financial news, analysis, opinion and data covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region forecasted to surpass its 2025 efficiency in spite of muted oil incomes and ongoing worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

However the current forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly stable worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable incomes are expected to fuel a rise in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also anticipated to stay raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC central banks expected to follow anticipated United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are likely to decrease, giving homes and services further incentive to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a combined image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and global demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a local outperformer, with significant growths in gas production and exports expected to raise its general financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan expects a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical costs procedures are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development programs.

Regardless of shortterm dangers connected to oil costs and international need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in basics: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these factors lining up, the region is preparing for one of its most well balanced periods of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC region is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial development in the region 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 region's continued progress toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to exceed their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is anticipated to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to stay elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and loaning is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will decrease debt servicing costs and boost disposable income and demand," stated the report.