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Debit Cards in the United Arab Emirates

Publisher Euromonitor International
Published Jan 19, 2026
Length 21 Pages
SKU # EP20807792

Description

Debit cards in the United Arab Emirates saw circulation rise in 2025, continuing the upward trajectory seen in previous years of the review period. This performance was supported by several factors, including continued population growth, government-backed schemes and digital inclusion initiatives, and the growing preference for electronic over cash payments. Increased financial literacy, particularly among younger adult cohorts and expatriates, also played a role in boosting the number of accoun...

Euromonitor International's Debit Card Transactions in United Arab Emirates report establishes the size and structure of the market for ATMs cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, pre-paid cards and store cards. It looks at key players in the market (issuers and operators), number of cards in circulation, numbers transactions and value of transactions. It offers strategic analysis of sector forecasts and trends to watch.

Product coverage: Commercial Debit Card Transactions, Personal Debit Card Transactions.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Debit Card Transactions market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table of Contents

21 Pages
Debit Cards in the United Arab Emirates
Euromonitor International
January 2026
List Of Contents And Tables
DEBIT CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Demographic, digital and infrastructure developments boost debit cards
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Digitalisation spurs debit card usage
A strong share of the population remains unbanked or underserved
WHAT’S NEXT?
Debit card usage is set to rise over the forecast period
Transaction value per card may slow as frequency increases
Banks to invest in security, digital features and loyalty to stay competitive
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Visa and First Abu Dhabi Bank enjoy wide coverage to lead
Emirates NBD and Mastercard International invest in strategic direction
CATEGORY DATA
Table 1 Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 2 Debit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 3 Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 4 Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 5 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 6 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 7 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 8 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 9 Forecast Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 10 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 11 Forecast Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 12 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The number of cards in circulation rises healthily and steadily
KEY DATA FINDINGS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Credit cards and pre-paid cards gain momentum while debit cards remain popular
Stronger fintech activity spurs usage
Leading players leverage ecosystems as smaller players struggle
WHAT’S NEXT?
Bright outlook for most types of financial cards
Company and government activities to increase the penetration of financial cards
E-commerce to hasten financial card use
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
RTA benefits from strong integration and tourism recovery to consolidate its position as the leading issuer
Visa benefits from strong growth in financial cards and partnerships
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 13 Number of POS Terminals: Units 2020-2025
Table 14 Number of ATMs: Units 2020-2025
Table 15 Value Lost to Fraud 2020-2025
Table 16 Card Expenditure by Location 2025
Table 17 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2020-2025
Table 18 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2025
MARKET DATA
Table 19 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 20 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2020-2025
Table 21 Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 22 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 23 Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 24 Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 25 M-Commerce by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 26 M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 27 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 28 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 29 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 30 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 31 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 32 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2025-2030
Table 33 Forecast Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 34 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 35 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 36 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 37 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 38 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources

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