Navigating the Next GCC Corporate Landscape

Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is significantly considered as a combination year, in which diversification-led development ends up being more deeply embedded in the area's financial model, reducing reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Forecasts from major organizations broadly assemble on a stronger GCC growth profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by resilient domestic demand, continued non-oil expansion, and (to varying degrees) a firmer hydrocarbon contribution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place 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 threat conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and innovation. 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, improving credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures focused on attracting foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.

Oxford Economics expects Brent crude prices to fall below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, limiting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. Nevertheless, oil supply is anticipated to rise again in the second half of the year, with a complete loosening up of remaining production caps likely by mid-2027.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Macroeconomic conditions across the GCC stay broadly supportive of growth. Inflation is expected to stay low, with the IMF forecasting average inflation of 2 percent across the region in 2026. Steady rates are helping maintain real household incomes and underpin consumer costs, which Oxford Economics expects to grow by an average of 3.5 percent over 20262027.