11/05/2026 04:34 AST
The GCC economies posted robust growth in the third quarter of 2025, driven by the non-oil sector as the region's sustained push to diversify income sources gained further momentum.
The nominal GDP of the GCC reached approximately $595.8 billion in 2025 in the third quarter of 2025, compared to $583 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2024, achieving an annual growth rate of 2.2 percent, said a new report.
The real GDP reached US$474.4 billion, recording real growth of 5.2 percent, a clear indication that economic growth was not driven solely by price increases, but by an actual expansion in economic activity, according to data issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf.
The GCC economy also recorded quarterly growth (compared to the second quarter of 2025) of 1.6 percent in real terms, reflecting continued economic momentum.
The data showed an acceleration in the shift toward a non-oil economy, with the non-oil sector accounting for 78 percent of nominal GDP, compared to 22 percent for the oil sector.
At the real GDP level, the non-oil sector accounted for 70.7 percent, compared to 29.3 percent for the oil sector.
This shift reflects a reduced relative dependence on oil and the success of economic diversification policies in the GCC countries.
The data showed that the GCC economy has become more diversified, with the contributions of economic activities (at current prices) distributed as follows: 12.4 percent for manufacturing, 9.7 percent for wholesale and retail trade, 8.4 percent for construction, 7.5 percent for public administration and defence, 7.0 percent for financial and insurance activities, 5.8 percent for real estate activities, 27.3 percent for other activities, and 22.0 percent for oil and gas extraction, highlighting the broadening of the production base and the increasing role of service and industrial sectors in supporting growth.
Non-oil activities also recorded strong growth rates, notably real estate activities at 10.2 percent, accommodation and food services at 8.2 percent, wholesale and retail trade at 8.0 percent, electricity, water and gas at 7.4 percent, and other services at 7.3 percent, reflecting the vitality of the service economy and the growing domestic and tourism demand.
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