Driving Dubai Corporate Expansion through Strategy

Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is significantly seen as a combination year, in which diversification-led growth becomes more deeply ingrained in the region's economic design, decreasing reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Projections from major institutions broadly converge on a more powerful GCC development profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by durable domestic demand, continued non-oil expansion, and (to differing 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 forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the area 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 remain consisted of 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 governments expand investment in services, facilities, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Predicting the Next GCC Business Environment

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on attracting foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a helpful role in 2026.

Oxford Economics anticipates Brent crude prices to fall below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, limiting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. Oil supply is forecast to increase once again in the 2nd half of the year, with a full unwinding of staying production caps likely by mid-2027.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Macroeconomic conditions across the GCC stay broadly helpful of development. Inflation is anticipated to stay low, with the IMF forecasting average inflation of 2 percent throughout the area in 2026. Steady prices are assisting maintain real household incomes and underpin customer costs, which Oxford Economics anticipates to grow by approximately 3.5 percent over 20262027.