Accelerating Dubai Industrial Expansion through Strategy

Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is significantly considered as a combination year, in which diversification-led development becomes more deeply embedded in the area's financial design, lowering dependence on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Forecasts 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 varying degrees) a firmer hydrocarbon contribution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive total conditions.

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 put the region 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments expand financial 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, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Scale GCC Operations in 2026

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures aimed at drawing in foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Macroeconomic conditions across the GCC stay broadly encouraging of growth. Inflation is expected to remain low, with the IMF forecasting average inflation of 2 percent throughout the area in 2026. Stable rates are assisting preserve real household earnings and underpin customer costs, which Oxford Economics anticipates to grow by approximately 3.5 percent over 20262027.