Year-on-year growth in private sector loans in the United Arab Emirates slowed in May 2026, with the indicator easing to 19.17%, down from 20.42% recorded in April 2026.
The data, updated on 28 July 2026, show that while loan expansion to the private sector remains strong in annual terms, momentum has moderated compared with the previous month. Both figures represent year-over-year changes, comparing each month’s loan growth to the same month a year earlier.
The shift from 20.42% in April to 19.17% in May suggests a slight cooling in the pace of credit expansion to businesses and households, though the overall growth rate remains elevated by historical standards. Policymakers and market participants will be watching upcoming releases to gauge whether this marks the start of a more sustained moderation in private sector credit growth.
