How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in 2026

Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is increasingly considered as a combination year, in which diversification-led development becomes more deeply ingrained in the area's financial design, reducing reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing durability to external shocks. Projections from significant organizations broadly converge on a stronger GCC growth profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by resistant domestic demand, continued non-oil expansion, and (to varying degrees) a firmer hydrocarbon contribution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently 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 projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Key Steps for Operational Excellence in Dubai

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on bring in foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.

Oxford Economics anticipates Brent crude costs to fall below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, restricting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. However, oil supply is forecast to increase once again in the second half of the year, with a complete unwinding 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 anticipated to remain low, with the IMF forecasting typical inflation of 2 percent across the region in 2026. Stable prices are helping protect real home incomes and underpin consumer costs, which Oxford Economics anticipates to grow by an average of 3.5 percent over 20262027.