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Service news and financial news, analysis, opinion 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 speed up in 2026, with the area forecasted to outperform its 2025 performance in spite of muted oil profits and continuous worldwide unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research study instruction, GCC GDP development is anticipated to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

The latest projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly stable worldwide background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant motorist of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable earnings are anticipated to sustain a rise in consumer spending across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to remain raised as access to financial services expands. With GCC main banks anticipated to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decrease, offering homes and companies even more inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more dependent on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten and international demand improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its general economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs procedures are activated to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development programs.

Regardless of shortterm threats connected to oil costs and global need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in fundamentals: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these aspects aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most balanced periods of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly steady global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic product of the GCC area is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

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 economic development in the area is set to speed up 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 region's ongoing development towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to outshine their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that headline inflation is expected to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to stay elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and financing 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 anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will decrease financial obligation maintenance costs and increase disposable earnings and demand," said the report.