Analysing 2026 Market Research for Future Growth

Business news and monetary 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 across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region predicted to exceed its 2025 efficiency in spite of muted oil revenues and ongoing 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 percent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and slowly enhancing oil output.

The most current projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant driver of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable incomes are anticipated to sustain a surge in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise anticipated to remain elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC main banks expected to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are likely to decline, providing homes and services even more impetus to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, especially for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten and global need enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a local outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its general financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. Nevertheless, the report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs procedures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development programs.

Regardless of shortterm threats tied to oil costs and worldwide demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: resistant consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic financial planning. With these aspects aligning, the area is getting ready for among its most balanced durations of expansion over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly stable international economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic item of the GCC area is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 4 percent this year.

US trade policy under President Donald Trump has actually had no notable effect on local development, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," said Oxford Economics. It included: "Meanwhile, oil production has actually slowly increased, providing a boost to the region's economies. We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial development 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 total 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 expected to outperform their international peers.

In December, the IMF further said that heading inflation is anticipated to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and somewhat above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to stay elevated in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and loaning is projected to be supported by more cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC main banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by relieving monetary policy further, which in turn will lower financial obligation maintenance expenses and boost non reusable earnings and need," stated the report.