How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in Dubai

Organization news and financial news, analysis, opinion 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 accelerate in 2026, with the region predicted to outperform its 2025 performance despite muted oil earnings and continuous worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study rundown, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

However the most current projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly steady international backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant chauffeur of the region's financial efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable incomes are anticipated to fuel a rise in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise anticipated to stay elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are likely to decrease, providing families and businesses further incentive to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended photo.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten and global need improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its overall financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two portion points. However, 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 agendas.

Regardless of shortterm dangers tied to oil rates and international demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in principles: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial planning. With these factors aligning, the region is preparing for one of its most well balanced periods of growth over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly stable worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic product of the GCC area is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 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 said that financial growth in the region is set to accelerate 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 total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's ongoing progress toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their international peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is anticipated to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 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 elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and loaning is projected to be supported by further cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving monetary policy further, which in turn will decrease financial obligation servicing costs and increase disposable earnings and need," stated the report.