McKinsey, BCG’s Hard Road to Partner May Be Eased by Gulf Boom

The famously difficult road to partnerships and promotions at some of the world’s largest consulting firms can run through the Middle East these days.

Globally, the industry is in the throes of an extended slump, growing just 3% to $250 billion in 2023, according to Source Global Research, which focuses on mid and large-sized firms. In the Gulf, the pace of increase has been four times that as governments spend trillions on nation-building and dealmaking. That’s fueled expansion sprees by behemoths like McKinsey & Co. and Boston Consulting Group Inc.

At McKinsey, some executives choose to take positions in the ...