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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic development throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region projected to exceed its 2025 efficiency despite muted oil earnings and continuous international unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and slowly improving oil output.

The most current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly constant global background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major motorist of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable earnings are expected to sustain a rise in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also anticipated to stay elevated as access to monetary services expands. With GCC central banks expected to follow anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decline, providing homes and businesses further incentive to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and worldwide demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands apart as a local outperformer, with significant growths in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its overall economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two portion points. Nevertheless, the report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise fully if countercyclical spending measures are activated to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development agendas.

Regardless of shortterm dangers connected to oil costs and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in principles: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these factors aligning, the area is preparing for among its most well balanced durations of expansion in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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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 constant worldwide 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.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no notable influence on local development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "On the other hand, oil production has actually gradually increased, supplying a boost to the area's economies. 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 financial development in the region is set to speed up 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 overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's ongoing progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF even more said that heading inflation is expected to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 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 area during 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt servicing expenses and enhance non reusable income and need," said the report.