The combined capitalisation of financial markets in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached approximately $4.2 trillion by the end of 2024, according to new data released by the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat).
The report shows that the composite index of GCC financial markets — representing the performance of member states as a unified bloc — recorded a modest annual growth of 0.7% last year. The index captures aggregated market activity across major exchanges in the region.
Capitalisation Falls Year-on-Year, Still Holds Global Weight
Despite the slight index gain, total market capitalisation in the GCC registered a year-on-year decline of 4.4% compared to the close of 2023. This contraction reflects broader market adjustments and global economic uncertainties faced in the latter half of 2024.
At the close of 2024, the GCC financial markets’ total capitalization accounted for around 3.5% of global market capitalization, underscoring the region’s significance in the global financial ecosystem despite regional and international headwinds.
The statistics reinforce the GCC’s role as a key contributor to emerging market growth, supported by diversified economies, capital market reforms, and cross-border investment strategies.
