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Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and stats covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Economic growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area forecasted to surpass its 2025 efficiency in spite of muted oil revenues and continuous global uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research rundown, GCC GDP growth is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.
The most current projections suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly stable global background. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the region's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable incomes are anticipated to fuel a surge in consumer costs across the Gulf.
Maximising Corporate ROI through Advanced Market PlanningCredit growth is likewise forecast to stay raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC main banks expected to follow expected US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are likely to decrease, giving households and organizations even more inspiration to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's durability, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended picture.
This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and international need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands apart as a local outperformer, with significant expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its general economic efficiency.
Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by two portion points. However, the report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise completely if countercyclical spending steps 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 risks tied to oil prices and international demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in basics: durable customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical fiscal preparation. With these aspects lining up, the region is getting ready for one of its most balanced periods of growth in current years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.
RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are expected to remain durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic item of the GCC area is expected to broaden 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 growth in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors.
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 development toward diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their global peers.
In December, the IMF further said that headline inflation is anticipated to remain 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 anticipated to remain raised in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and financing is predicted 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 US Federal Reserve by reducing financial policy further, which in turn will decrease financial obligation maintenance expenses and enhance disposable earnings and demand," said the report.
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