How to Maintain a Leading Advantage in 2026

Service news and financial news, analysis, opinion and data covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area forecasted to exceed its 2025 efficiency regardless of muted oil revenues and ongoing global unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is anticipated to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly constant global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant driver of the region's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable incomes are expected to fuel a surge in customer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to remain raised as access to financial services expands. With GCC main banks expected to follow anticipated United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decline, providing households and organizations further inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more dependent 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 global demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its total financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan expects a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise completely 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 agendas.

Regardless of shortterm risks connected to oil costs and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in principles: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic financial preparation. With these aspects aligning, the region is preparing for among its most balanced periods of expansion in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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

We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that economic development in the area 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 area's continued development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to exceed their global peers.

In December, the IMF even more said that headline inflation is anticipated to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by further cuts in rate 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 financial policy even more, which in turn will reduce financial obligation servicing expenses and enhance disposable income and demand," stated the report.