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Company news and monetary news, analysis, viewpoint and statistics covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region forecasted to surpass its 2025 performance in spite of muted oil revenues and ongoing worldwide unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

The latest forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly steady global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant chauffeur of the region's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable incomes are anticipated to sustain a surge in customer spending across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also anticipated to remain raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow anticipated United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are likely to decrease, offering households and businesses further impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended image.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more depending on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and international need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands apart as a local outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its total financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. Nevertheless, the report notes that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical costs measures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development agendas.

Regardless of shortterm dangers connected to oil costs and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in basics: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these elements aligning, the area is getting ready for one of its most well balanced durations of growth over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC region is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial development in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities represented 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued development toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their international peers. Oxford Economics said that low inflation has actually helped safeguard development in real non reusable income, which has likewise been supported by strong demand and very low unemployment rates."We do not imagine any let-up, as federal governments continue to promote greater foreign direct financial investment in their push to diversify their economies away from oil and gas," the report included.

In December, the IMF further stated that heading inflation is anticipated to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and somewhat above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing costs and enhance non reusable income and demand," said the report.