GCC Asset Management Surges 10% to $2.7 Trillion as Saudi Arabia Leads Growth

The Gulf Cooperation Council's asset management industry achieved robust growth in 2025, with assets under management rising 10% to reach approximately $2.7 trillion, marking one of the strongest annual performances in over a decade. Saudi Arabia is the primary driver of this regional expansion, leading in retail mutual funds and ETFs while benefiting from a maturing investor base that is increasingly accessing digital investment platforms. This surge is supported by deep institutional capital, including some of the world's largest sovereign investors like Kuwait's Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia's GOSI-PPA pension fund. While market tailwinds fueled this growth, industry experts warn that future success will depend less on market conditions and more on strategic shifts toward AI-enabled operating models and improved distribution networks.