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Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is increasingly viewed as a consolidation year, in which diversification-led development ends up being more deeply embedded in the region's financial model, decreasing reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Projections from major organizations broadly assemble on a stronger GCC growth profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by durable domestic need, continued non-oil expansion, and (to differing degrees) a firmer hydrocarbon contribution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more positive general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs worldwide development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments expand financial investment in services, facilities, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Public-sector financial investment and reform remain central to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps aimed at bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.

Oxford Economics anticipates Brent crude prices to fall below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, restricting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. Oil supply is forecast to rise once again in the second half of the year, with a complete relaxing of remaining production caps likely by mid-2027.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Macroeconomic conditions across the GCC remain broadly helpful of growth. Inflation is expected to remain low, with the IMF forecasting typical inflation of 2 percent across the region in 2026. Stable rates are helping preserve genuine family earnings and underpin consumer costs, which Oxford Economics anticipates to grow by approximately 3.5 percent over 20262027.