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Service news and financial 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+

Economic development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region projected to surpass its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil earnings and ongoing worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the latest projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly steady international background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major motorist of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable earnings are anticipated to fuel a surge in consumer spending across the Gulf.

Credit development is also anticipated to remain elevated as access to monetary services widens. With GCC main banks anticipated to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decline, giving households and businesses even more impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten and global need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its overall financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs steps are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development programs.

In spite of shortterm threats connected to oil rates and international demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in principles: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these elements aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most balanced durations of expansion in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

How to Scale Regional Strategy in 2026

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

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no significant impact on regional development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It added: "On the other hand, oil production has actually slowly increased, providing a boost to the region's economies. We expect 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 accelerate to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding 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 progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their international peers. Oxford Economics stated that low inflation has actually helped secure development in genuine non reusable income, which has likewise been supported by strong need and very low unemployment rates."We do not visualize any let-up, as governments continue to press for greater foreign direct investment in their push to diversify their economies away from oil and gas," the report included.

In December, the IMF even more stated that headline inflation is expected to stay 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 anticipated to remain elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and lending is projected to be supported by further cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving financial policy further, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing expenses and improve disposable earnings and demand," stated the report.