Guide to Gulf Financial Equity Trends in 2026 thumbnail

Guide to Gulf Financial Equity Trends in 2026

Published Aug 25, 26
5 min read


Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA company, details the appealing chances of purchasing GCC Facilities, driven by the region's growth and federal government initiatives.

Diversification is accomplish a balanced economy,, Diversity visions and techniques exist. There were and The, by producing an index with no qualitative/perceptions signs. The total Worldwide EDI is composed of tracking. As commodity exporters diversify, lower their reliance on resource leas and potentially score a higher score on the EDI.

Upcoming Middle Eastern Economic Outlook

For non-diversified countries, when rate of the product falls, there is a significant decrease in government profits, public costs, bank account balance and international reserves: more volatility. The (including significant product exporters, not restricted to just oil) over the, throughout 25 indicators (including 3 digital indications). North America, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific nations leading EDI ratings for many years.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Despite the fact that structural reforms and diversity efforts undertaken by the GCC affected MENA's regional scores favorably, it still lags five other local groups., with the top 10 countries having less than a 10-point difference in scores (implying the strength of diversity)., along with four upper-middle earnings (China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand) and one lower middle-income nation (India, ranked 20th, driven by its services export boom).

Among the e. nations ranked 51 to 70, the performance of Moldova, Indonesia, Armenia and Honduras stand apart (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, offered sped up diversity strategies of numerous oil-exporting countries. posted a stable enhancement due to a mix of lowered dependence on fuel exports, minimized exports concentration and a modification in the composition of exports.

Advantages of Expanding Industrial Ventures in the GCC

with oil exporters having the most affordable ratings (though specific country-specific performance has varied in time). Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan have readings of 100+ as does the UAE while Algeria and Kuwait are on the other end of the spectrum. Across all areas, the average score is the for both 2000 and 2024, and the highest in The United States and Canada.

In 2024, the (China was among the leading ranked, while Mongolia's rating worsened compared to 2000)., but more to do with a "levelling up" at the bottom rather than an improvement amongst the top nations. By comparing the (height of the blue box), least irregularity is seen in South Asia in 2000 and the most in the MENA area (with difference likely driven by the dichotomy within the region between the resource-heavy states (e.g.

Sub-Saharan African nations represent around one-third of the overall, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter two together accounting for over 40% of the total). Consisting of, there has been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the five years pre- and post-pandemic ).

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


and ranked higher than others; UAE is up more than 45 places in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed up 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman rose 17 ranks during the duration. The trapped or worse off nations are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural improvement has stalled.

reveals a substantial boost in average EDI scores from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the preliminary duration versus 2020-24). with UAE surpassing in the trade sub-index (supported by current bilateral trade arrangements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partly provided the rise in medium & modern manufacturing data).

Can GCC Industrial Success Exceed Western Benchmarks?

Its diversification metrics have stagnated, revealing the least enhancement between the initial (2000-04) and last (2020-24) referral periods., in spite of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon expansion was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong task pipeline and application) and strong services sector performance.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in an increase in non-hydrocarbon profits, "primarily reflecting non-hydrocarbon tax base expansions and income collection efficiency enhancements", according to the IMF. In the present geopolitical environment characterized by intensifying, it remains in the best interests of commodity reliant nations to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

Sub-Saharan African nations account for around one-third of the total, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter 2 together accounting for over 40% of the overall). Consisting of, there has actually been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the five years pre- and post-pandemic ).

and ranked greater than others; UAE is up more than 45 places in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed up 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman increased 17 ranks during the period. The trapped or worse off nations are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural change has actually stalled.

Key Drivers Influencing Gulf Market Forecasts by 2026

shows a considerable boost in typical EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the initial period versus 2020-24). with UAE outperforming in the trade sub-index (supported by current bilateral trade arrangements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially provided the rise in medium & modern production data).

Its diversity metrics have actually stagnated, revealing the least enhancement between the initial (2000-04) and final (2020-24) recommendation periods., in spite of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon growth was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong project pipeline and implementation) and strong services sector efficiency.

Key Equity Trends Across the GCC

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon revenue, "mostly showing non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and profits collection effectiveness improvements", according to the IMF. In the existing geopolitical environment characterized by heightening, it is in the best interests of commodity reliant countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

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