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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 growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area predicted to exceed its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil revenues and ongoing global unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

However the current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic demand and a broadly constant global backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant driver of the region's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable incomes are expected to fuel a rise in customer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is also forecast to stay elevated as access to financial services widens. With GCC main banks anticipated to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decrease, giving families and organizations further inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended photo.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and worldwide need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a local outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its general economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan expects a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by 2 portion points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise completely if countercyclical costs procedures are activated to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development agendas.

Regardless of shortterm threats connected to oil rates and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in fundamentals: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal planning. With these elements lining up, the region is preparing for among its most balanced durations of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly consistent global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC region is expected 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 significant effect on local development, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It added: "Meanwhile, oil production has gradually increased, supplying an increase to the area's economies. We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said that financial development in the area 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 represented 73.2 percent of total 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 surpass their international peers. Oxford Economics said that low inflation has actually assisted safeguard growth in genuine disposable income, which has also been supported by strong need and extremely low unemployment rates."We do not visualize any let-up, as governments continue to push for higher 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 anticipated to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 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 area during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and loaning is projected to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will decrease debt servicing expenses and enhance disposable income and need," stated the report.