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Service news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and stats covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region forecasted to surpass its 2025 efficiency regardless of muted oil revenues and ongoing global unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP development is anticipated to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

However the most recent projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly steady worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant motorist of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable incomes are expected to fuel a surge in consumer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to stay elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC central banks expected to follow anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are most likely to decrease, offering homes and services even more inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a combined picture.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and global demand improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its general economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending measures are activated to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm dangers connected to oil rates and worldwide need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal planning. With these factors aligning, the area is getting ready for one of its most well balanced durations of growth in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic item of the GCC area is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that economic growth 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 overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their global peers.

In December, the IMF further said that heading inflation is anticipated to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is anticipated to remain raised in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by more cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing financial policy further, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing expenses and boost non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.