Strategic Planning for Middle East Success

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more positive general conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position 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 local risk conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Information 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 governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy steps targeted at bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.