How to Maintain a Competitive Advantage in 2026

Organization news and monetary 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+

Financial development throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region projected to surpass its 2025 efficiency regardless of muted oil revenues and ongoing global unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resistant nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually improving oil output.

The newest projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly consistent international background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major motorist of the region's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are anticipated to sustain a rise in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is also anticipated to stay raised as access to monetary services broadens. With GCC reserve banks anticipated to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are most likely to decrease, giving families and companies even more inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined picture.

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This could weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten and international need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a local outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its overall financial performance.

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

Regardless of shortterm risks connected to oil rates and international demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in basics: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and tactical fiscal planning. With these aspects aligning, the area is getting ready for one of its most balanced durations of growth in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic item of the GCC region is anticipated to broaden 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 growth, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," said Oxford Economics. It included: "Meanwhile, oil production has actually slowly increased, providing an increase to the area's economies. We expect GCC growth 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 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 continued progress toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their global peers.

In December, the IMF further 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 stay elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by more cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will lower debt maintenance costs and increase non reusable earnings and demand," stated the report.