Evaluating Legacy Systems and 2026 Economic Strategies

Organization news and monetary 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+

Economic 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 incomes and continuous international uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and gradually improving oil output.

But the latest projections recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly steady worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major chauffeur of the region's financial efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable incomes are anticipated to fuel a surge in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise anticipated to remain raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decline, offering households and services further inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a mixed image.

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This could weigh on firsthalf growth, especially for economies more reliant on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and worldwide need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its overall financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan expects a 6 per cent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 portion points. However, the report notes that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical costs steps are triggered to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development agendas.

In spite of shortterm dangers tied to oil rates and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in basics: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial planning. With these elements lining up, the area is getting ready for among its most well balanced durations of growth in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly steady global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic product of the GCC area is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development 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 area's continued development toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more said that heading inflation is anticipated to stay below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 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 remain raised in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by additional cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance expenses and boost disposable income and need," stated the report.