Leading the 2026 Regional Economic Environment for Leaders

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable total conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures intended at drawing in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and decrease the area's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.