Forecast: Number of Commercial Bank Branches in United Arab Emirates

From 2013 to 2023, the number of commercial bank branches in the United Arab Emirates has generally exhibited a downward trend, declining from 12.39 units per hundred thousand adults in 2013 to 7.97 units in 2023. This represents a significant reduction, particularly noting a sharp decrease between 2019 and 2020 by 16.26%, and a minor rebound in 2022 by 10.53%. However, this recovery was short-lived, as the value fell again by 5.12% in 2023.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years stands at an average decline of 5.79%, indicating a consistent downward trajectory. Looking ahead, the numbers are forecasted to continue this trend, projected to reach 6.05 units by 2028, with a forecasted five-year CAGR of -3.95% and an overall growth rate decline of 18.24% from 2023.

Future trends to watch for:

• Continued digitization of banking services reducing the necessity for physical branches.
• Potential regulatory changes impacting the banking sector landscape.
• Shifts in consumer behavior towards online and mobile banking solutions.