Formal & Mobile Money Borrowing Statistics in United Arab Emirates (2026)
23.9% of adults in the United Arab Emirates borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account in 2021, World Bank Global Findex data show. Down from 46.1% in 2017 to 23.9% in 2021 (−22.2 percentage points). United Arab Emirates ranks #4 of 18 economies in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan on this measure, and #50 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 23.9% (2021)
- Formal & Mobile Money Borrowing in the United Arab Emirates as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- −22.2 pp (2021)
- Down from 46.1% in 2017 to 23.9% in 2021 (−22.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 39.4% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 39.4% in 2014 to 23.9% in 2021.
- Peak value (2017)
- 46.1% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2021 value is 23.9%.
- Rank in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- #4 of 18 (2021)
- The United Arab Emirates ranks 4 of 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #50 of 142 (2021)
- The United Arab Emirates ranks 50 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan average
- 16.1% (2021)
- The United Arab Emirates (23.9%) is above the average of 16.1% across the 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data.
- Borrowed from a formal bank or similar financial institution (% age 15+) (2021)
- 22.5% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Internet use in the United Arab Emirates (2024)
- 100% (2024)
- 100% of the population in the United Arab Emirates used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 11 million (2024)
- The United Arab Emirates had a population of 11 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23.9% | −22.2 pp |
| 2017 | 46.1% | +6.7 pp |
| 2014 | 39.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in the United Arab Emirates borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account?
23.9% of adults in the United Arab Emirates borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has formal & mobile money borrowing in the United Arab Emirates changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a decline from 39.4% in 2014 to 23.9% in 2021.
How does the United Arab Emirates compare with other countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
The United Arab Emirates ranks 4 of 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, with 23.9% versus a regional average of 16.1% (latest values per country).
Where does the United Arab Emirates rank globally on formal & mobile money borrowing?
The United Arab Emirates ranks 50 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a.22a1.22g.d, 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 .