Leading the 2026 Regional Economic Landscape for Leaders

3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable general conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures intended at bring in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.