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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+

Financial growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region forecasted to surpass its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil revenues and continuous international uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the latest projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic demand and a broadly consistent worldwide background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major motorist of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable earnings are expected to sustain a rise in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also anticipated to remain raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decrease, giving households and services further inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more dependent on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and international need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its general economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by two portion points. However, the report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical spending measures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm threats tied to oil rates and international need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in basics: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic financial preparation. With these elements lining up, the region is preparing for among its most well balanced periods of expansion in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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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 constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC region is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has actually had no noteworthy influence on local development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," said Oxford Economics. It added: "On the other hand, oil production has actually gradually increased, offering an increase to the area's economies. We anticipate GCC growth will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial 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 total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to exceed their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that heading inflation is anticipated to remain 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 growth is anticipated to stay elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by further cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy further, which in turn will decrease financial obligation maintenance expenses and increase disposable earnings and need," said the report.