The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Center announced Saturday that GCC countries achieved a “clear outperformance” in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, surpassing the global average and reflecting strong economic openness and an improved business environment across the region.
In a report on GCC progress in the index, the Center stated that the bloc’s average score reached 66.9 points, exceeding the global average of 59.9 by nearly seven points.
The data showed that all GCC countries recorded either “improvement” or “stability” in their scores between 2025 and 2026, with only “limited” variation in performance levels, indicating continued economic reforms and growth-supporting policies.
At the Arab level, GCC countries ranked among the top seven, reinforcing their position as the most economically open in the region.
The Center explained that higher index scores, ranging from zero to 100, indicate greater economic freedom and openness, with countries classified into categories from “repressed” to “open.”
It added that the index is based on four main pillars: rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency, and market openness, and is calculated using 12 sub-indicators covering 184 countries worldwide.
The Center noted that improvements in economic freedom contribute to attracting foreign investment, stimulating growth, creating jobs, enhancing competitiveness, improving living standards, reducing corruption, and stabilizing financial markets.
It affirmed that the progress reflects the success of economic policies and structural reforms pursued by GCC countries, highlighting their ability to build an attractive investment environment and achieve sustainable growth aligned with global best practices.
— KUNA
