Global economic output is forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2026, slightly below the 2.8 per cent estimated for 2025 and well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, released by the United Nations on Thursday.
BCD Global, a leading Indian multinational group with interests in real estate development, construction and finance, has announced its foray into the Middle East, naming Dubai as its regional headquarters as it accelerates its next phase of global growth.
Bahrain has recorded real economic growth of 4% at constant prices and 4.5% at current prices during the third quarter of 2025 on an annual basis, said a report. The kingdom's non-oil GDP surged by 3.1% at constant prices and 4.9 % at current prices for the three-month period.
Saudi banks’ credit profiles remain solid, with financial metrics displaying lower sensitivity to economic downturns than most GCC peers, underpinned by still-high government spending, ongoing economic diversification, said Fitch Ratings in a new report.
Middle East CEOs remain among the most confident globally, with 88% expecting economic growth to strengthen in their own territories, and this is even higher at 93% across the GCC, compared with just 55% of CEOs globally, according to a PwC report.
The World Bank projects that growth in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will rise to 4.4% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027.
Dubai has recorded its strongest residential year on record for 2025, with the total sales value reaching AED547 billion ($149 billion), up 28% year-on-year, across 203,000 transactions as demand, liquidity and prices all advance together, said a new report.
