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Service news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and data covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region projected to surpass its 2025 performance despite soft oil revenues and ongoing worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

The most current projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly steady worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant driver of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are anticipated to sustain a surge in customer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise anticipated to remain raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC main banks expected to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are likely to decline, giving families and organizations even more motivation to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed photo.

Operational Excellence: a Key Driver for Regional Growth

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

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two portion points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending procedures are activated to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development agendas.

Regardless of shortterm dangers connected to oil rates and worldwide need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in fundamentals: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these factors aligning, the area is getting ready for one of its most well balanced periods of expansion over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

Industrial Excellence: a Key Driver for 2026 Success

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current 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.

We anticipate GCC growth will increase 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 total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to surpass their international peers.

In December, the IMF further said that headline inflation is expected to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 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 anticipated to stay raised in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and loaning is projected to be supported by more cuts in rate 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 reduce debt servicing costs and boost non reusable earnings and demand," said the report.