Year-on-year growth in private sector loans in Saudi Arabia slowed in May 2026, with the pace of expansion easing to 6.60%, down from 7.20% recorded in April 2026. The latest figures, updated on 30 June 2026, indicate a moderation in credit growth compared with the same month a year earlier.
The data show that while lending to the private sector continues to rise on an annual basis, the rate of increase has decelerated for a second consecutive month on a year-over-year comparison. In April, the indicator reflected a 7.20% gain versus April of the previous year, whereas May’s 6.60% reading measures the change against May a year earlier.
This trend may signal a more cautious borrowing environment or a gradual cooling in credit demand within the Saudi private sector, as the economy adjusts to evolving domestic and global conditions. Investors and policymakers are likely to watch upcoming monthly data closely to assess whether the slowdown in loan growth persists in the second half of 2026.
