Saudi Arabia accounts for 77% of GCC takaful contribution

EY’s latest report, Global Takaful Insights 2014, forecasts a continued double-digit growth momentum of the global takaful market of approximately 14 percent from 2013 to 2016 and expects the industry to reach $20 billion by 2017. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets are likely to maintain their current growth path in the next five years, subject to their economic growth. Saudi Arabia will likely remain the core market of Islamic insurance business, commanding approximately half (48 percent) of the global contributions. With strong competition from conventional incumbents, takaful operators are likely to continue their struggle in the medium term, although some will look at alternative customer segments and explore merger options.