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Service news and monetary news, analysis, viewpoint and statistics 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 predicted to outshine its 2025 efficiency in spite of soft oil earnings and continuous international uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

But the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly stable worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant motorist of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable earnings are anticipated to fuel a surge in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is also anticipated to stay raised as access to monetary services broadens. With GCC central banks expected to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decline, offering homes and services even more impetus to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined photo.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more dependent on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and global need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its total financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan expects a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs steps are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Regardless of shortterm dangers tied to oil rates and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in fundamentals: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these aspects lining up, the area is getting ready for among its most well balanced periods of growth in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly constant global economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic product of the GCC area is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the forecasted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial growth in the region 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 total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is expected to stay listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to financial services is expected to grow and financing is projected to be supported by more cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by alleviating financial policy even more, which in turn will lower financial obligation maintenance costs and enhance disposable earnings and need," stated the report.