GCC's Data Processing Server Market Set for Growth to 1.5 Million Units and $2.4 Billion After Recent Contraction

IndexBox has just published a new report: GCC - Data Processing Servers - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

The GCC data processing server market experienced a sharp decline in 2024, with consumption falling to 763K units and market value dropping to $1.2B. However, a recovery is forecast, with market volume projected to reach 1.5M units and value to hit $2.4B by 2035. The United Arab Emirates dominates consumption and imports, while local production is minimal. Import prices rose significantly, while export prices continued to fall. Key trends include Qatar's rapid growth in per capita consumption and Bahrain's high market value growth rate.

Key Findings

• Market forecast to grow to 1.5M units ($2.4B) by 2035 after a sharp 2024 decline
• United Arab Emirates is the dominant consumer and importer, accounting for 58% of volume
• Qatar shows the fastest consumption growth, while Bahrain leads in market value growth
• Import prices surged 32% to $1.8K per unit, with Saudi Arabia paying the highest price
• Local GCC production is minimal (39K units), making the region heavily import-dependent

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for data processing server in GCC, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +6.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.5M units by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

GCC's Consumption of Data Processing Servers

In 2024, consumption of data processing servers decreased by -54.9% to 763K units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a deep contraction. The volume of consumption peaked at 1.7M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The revenue of the data processing server market in GCC fell remarkably to $1.2B in 2024, which is down by -44.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption continues to indicate a mild reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $2.2B in 2023, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of data processing server consumption was the United Arab Emirates (440K units), comprising approx. 58% of total volume. Moreover, data processing server consumption in the United Arab Emirates exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Saudi Arabia (140K units), threefold. Qatar (97K units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 13% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United Arab Emirates stood at -6.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Saudi Arabia (-9.0% per year) and Qatar (+11.5% per year).

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($482M), Saudi Arabia ($415M) and Qatar ($148M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, together comprising 86% of the total market. Oman and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +14.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of data processing server per capita consumption in 2024 were the United Arab Emirates (43 units per 1000 persons), Qatar (31 units per 1000 persons) and Bahrain (26 units per 1000 persons).

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +9.0%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

GCC's Production of Data Processing Servers

In 2024, production of data processing servers increased by 0% to 39K units, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, production saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume decreased by -11.1%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, data processing server production totaled $84M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports

GCC's Imports of Data Processing Servers

In 2024, supplies from abroad of data processing servers decreased by -57.4% to 781K units, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 106% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at 1.8M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, data processing server imports declined dramatically to $1.4B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $2.6B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates (496K units) represented the key importer of data processing servers, generating 64% of total imports. Saudi Arabia (140K units) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Qatar (12%). Oman (30K units) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -5.3% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Qatar (+11.5%) and Oman (+4.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Qatar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Saudi Arabia (-9.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Qatar (+10 p.p.) and Oman (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -10.4% from 2013 to 2024, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($695M), Saudi Arabia ($438M) and Qatar ($132M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 91% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Oman, which accounted for a further 6%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The import price in GCC stood at $1.8 thousand per unit in 2024, jumping by 32% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 46%. The level of import peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($3.1 thousand per unit), while Qatar ($1.4 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+10.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

GCC's Exports of Data Processing Servers

In 2024, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of data processing servers, when their volume decreased by -58.9% to 57K units. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a slight increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at 140K units in 2023, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, data processing server exports dropped sharply to $64M in 2024. In general, exports recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $198M in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from the United Arab Emirates (56K units), together amounting to 98% of total export.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the data processing servers exports, with a CAGR of +5.2% from 2013 to 2024. The United Arab Emirates (+35 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($59M) also remains the largest data processing server supplier in GCC.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to -5.7%.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the export price in GCC amounted to $1.1 thousand per unit, which is down by -4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 65% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $4.1 thousand per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the United Arab Emirates.

From 2013 to 2024, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the United Arab Emirates amounted to -10.3% per year.