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Service news and monetary news, analysis, opinion and statistics covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area projected to surpass its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil revenues and continuous international unpredictabilities. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually improving oil output.

But the latest projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly consistent international backdrop. 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 genuine disposable incomes are expected to sustain a rise in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is also anticipated to remain raised as access to monetary services broadens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow expected United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decrease, giving homes and businesses further impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a combined image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and global need improves. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a local outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its general financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by 2 percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical spending procedures are activated to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement agendas.

Despite shortterm dangers tied to oil rates and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these elements aligning, the area is getting ready for among its most balanced periods of growth in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly steady worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC region is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC growth 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 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 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 consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to exceed their international peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that heading inflation is anticipated 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 development is anticipated to remain raised in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and loaning is predicted to be supported by more cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC main banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation servicing expenses and enhance disposable income and need," said the report.