Driving Operational Excellence in the Middle East

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 positive overall conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 place the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures intended at attracting foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.