Formal Borrowing Statistics in Saudi Arabia (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 30.1% of adults in Saudi Arabia borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Down from 32.4% in 2021 to 30.1% in 2024 (−2.2 percentage points). Saudi Arabia ranks #3 of 18 economies in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan on this measure, and #39 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 30.1% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Saudi Arabia as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −2.2 pp (2024)
- Down from 32.4% in 2021 to 30.1% in 2024 (−2.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 17.4% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 17.4% in 2014 to 30.1% in 2024.
- Peak value (2021)
- 32.4% (2021)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 30.1%.
- Rank in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- #3 of 18 (2024)
- Saudi Arabia ranks 3 of 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #39 of 142 (2024)
- Saudi Arabia ranks 39 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan average
- 15.7% (2024)
- Saudi Arabia (30.1%) is above the average of 15.7% across the 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 27.5% (2024)
- Value for women in Saudi Arabia, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 31.6% (2024)
- Value for men in Saudi Arabia, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −4 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 27.5% for women and 31.6% for men — 4 percentage points lower among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 25.5% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Saudi Arabia in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −4.6 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (25.5%) are 4.6 percentage points below the national figure (30.1%).
- Internet use in Saudi Arabia (2024)
- 100% (2024)
- 100% of the population in Saudi Arabia used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 35.3 million (2024)
- Saudi Arabia had a population of 35.3 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30.1% | −2.2 pp |
| 2021 | 32.4% | +11.3 pp |
| 2017 | 21.1% | +3.7 pp |
| 2014 | 17.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Saudi Arabia borrowed from a formal financial institution?
30.1% of adults in Saudi Arabia borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
Is there a gender gap in formal borrowing in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 27.5% for women and 31.6% for men, a gap of 4 percentage points in favor of men.
When did formal borrowing in Saudi Arabia peak?
The highest value in the available series was 32.4% in 2021; the latest (2024) value is 30.1%.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .