Reviewing 2026 Market Research for Strategic Growth

Business 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 growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area forecasted to outperform its 2025 efficiency regardless of muted oil earnings and continuous worldwide unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP development is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

The latest forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly constant global background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major driver of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable incomes are anticipated to fuel a rise in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise anticipated to remain elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are likely to decline, giving households and organizations even more inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more reliant on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and international demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a local outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its general economic performance.

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

In spite of shortterm threats tied to oil costs and worldwide need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in principles: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these factors aligning, the region is getting ready for one of its most well balanced durations of expansion in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly constant global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current 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 predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic growth in the region is set to accelerate 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 continued progress toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to surpass their global peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is expected to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is anticipated to remain elevated in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by additional cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC central banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by easing financial policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing expenses and enhance non reusable earnings and need," said the report.