Key Trends in the 2026 Middle East Economy

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international growth alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures targeted at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.