How to Secure a Leading Advantage in 2026

Service news and financial 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 throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area forecasted to outshine its 2025 efficiency regardless of muted oil revenues and continuous global uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP development is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly steady worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are anticipated to sustain a rise in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to stay raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC central banks expected to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decrease, providing households and organizations even more impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a mixed photo.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and worldwide demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a local outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its general economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget expects a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two portion points. However, the report notes that these cuts might not materialise fully if countercyclical spending procedures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement agendas.

Despite shortterm threats tied to oil prices and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in principles: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical financial planning. With these factors aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most balanced periods of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly stable international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic product of the GCC area is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC development 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 region 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 region's continued development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to surpass their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF even more said that headline inflation is expected to remain listed 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 development is expected to remain raised in the GCC area during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is projected to be supported by further cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance costs and improve non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.