Will Strategic Research Define Dubai Corporate Growth?

Instead of marking a cyclical rebound, 2026 is significantly deemed a combination year, in which diversification-led growth becomes more deeply embedded in the area's financial design, minimizing dependence on hydrocarbons and increasing resilience to external shocks. Projections from significant organizations broadly converge on a stronger GCC growth profile in 2026 than in 2025, supported by resistant 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 growth predicted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated 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 somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments broaden 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, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Driving Regional Industrial Expansion through Innovation

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures aimed at attracting foreign direct financial investment, easing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.

Oxford Economics anticipates Brent crude costs to fall below USD 60 per barrel in early 2026, limiting the near-term contribution of oil extraction to GDP. However, oil supply is anticipated 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 encouraging of growth. Inflation is expected to remain low, with the IMF forecasting average inflation of 2 percent throughout the region in 2026. Stable rates are assisting protect real home incomes and underpin consumer spending, which Oxford Economics anticipates to grow by approximately 3.5 percent over 20262027.