Mastering Regional Business Strategies for Sustainable Operations

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive overall conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the region 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures intended at bring in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.