Strategic Strategy for Middle East Leadership

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive total conditions.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing 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 show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments expand investment in services, facilities, 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 increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures aimed at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.