2017全球金融包容性指数（英文版）-13mb

Summary of The Global Findex Database 2017

Core Content

The Global Findex Database 2017 is a comprehensive report on financial inclusion and the role of fintech in expanding access to financial services globally. It provides insights into account ownership, payment methods, saving and borrowing behaviors, and the impact of digital technology on financial inclusion. The report highlights the progress made since 2011, the persistent challenges, and the potential for future improvements.

Main Findings

1. Account Ownership

• Global Account Ownership: 69% of adults worldwide have an account, up from 62% in 2014 and 51% in 2011.
• High-Income vs. Developing Economies:
  • 94% of adults in high-income economies have an account.
  • 63% of adults in developing economies have an account.
• Regional Variations:
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest growth in mobile money account ownership, with 21% of adults now holding such accounts.
  • Mobile money accounts have spread across Sub-Saharan Africa, reaching over 30% in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, and 40% in Gabon.
  • Mobile money is also growing in other regions, including Bangladesh, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, and Paraguay.
• Demographic Gaps:
  • Gender Gap: Women are less likely than men to have an account. The global gender gap is 7 percentage points, with some economies showing no gap or even a reverse trend.
  • Income Gap: The gap between richer and poorer adults remains significant, with account ownership 13 percentage points higher among adults in the wealthiest 60% of households compared to those in the poorest 40%.
  • Age Gap: Older adults are more likely to have an account than young adults, with the gap varying widely across developing economies.
  • Employment Status: Adults active in the labor force are more likely to have an account than those not working.

2. The Unbanked

• Global Unbanked Population: 1.7 billion adults lack an account.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Most unbanked adults are women.
  • Unbanked adults are more likely to be poor, young, or not in the labor force.
  • In some economies, the unbanked are predominantly from the poorest households.
  • In the G-7 economies, almost all private sector wage earners are paid into an account.
• Reasons for Being Unbanked:
  • Lack of enough money is the most common barrier to account ownership.
  • In many developing economies, agricultural payments are made in cash.
  • Many unbanked adults have access to a mobile phone but not to the internet.

3. Payments

• Government Payments: In most developing economies, government payments are made into accounts, with a few exceptions.
• Private Sector Wages: In high-income economies, nearly all private sector wage earners receive payments into an account.
• Other Payments:
  • About 25% of adults in developing economies pay utility bills directly from an account.
  • In Sub-Saharan Africa, domestic remittances are mainly sent and received through accounts.
• Digital Payments:
  • 52% of adults globally have sent or received digital payments in the past year, up from 42% in 2014.
  • In high-income economies, 67% of adults use the internet to pay bills or shop online.
  • In developing economies, the share is much lower, with only 15% using the internet for such purposes.

4. Use of Accounts

• Digital Payment Usage: More account owners are using their accounts for digital payments, especially in developing economies where account ownership is growing.
• Account Inactivity:
  • Globally, 20% of account owners have an account that was inactive in the past year.
  • In India, nearly half of account owners have inactive accounts.
• Saving and Borrowing:
  • Over half of adults who save do so through formal financial institutions.
  • Formal saving is less common in developing economies, where informal methods are more prevalent.
  • In high-income economies, formal borrowing is dominated by credit cards, while in developing economies, it is often from family or friends.
  • Financial resilience is higher in high-income economies, where people are more likely to save for emergencies.

5. Fintech and Financial Inclusion

• Digital Technology Impact:
  • Digital payments, mobile money, and internet-based services are playing a key role in expanding financial inclusion.
  • Digitizing government and private sector payments can help reduce the number of unbanked adults.
  • Mobile money is particularly effective in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it has helped narrow the gender gap and increase account ownership.
• Opportunities:
  • Expanding digital financial services among the unbanked.
  • Increasing the use of digital services among the banked.
  • Leveraging mobile phones and internet access to promote financial inclusion.

Key Information

• Global Trends:
  • Account ownership has grown significantly, but gaps remain.
  • Digital financial services are becoming more common, especially in high-income economies.
• Challenges:
  • Persistent gender and income gaps in account ownership.
  • Many unbanked adults still rely on cash for payments and savings.
• Policy Implications:
  • Governments and institutions need to focus on improving access and use of financial services.
  • Digital technology offers a promising avenue for expanding financial inclusion, especially for the unbanked.
• Future Directions:
  • Continued investment in fintech and digital infrastructure.
  • Policies that address the barriers to account ownership, such as lack of money and access to technology.
  • Encouraging the use of accounts for saving, borrowing, and managing risk.

Conclusion

The Global Findex Database 2017 underscores the importance of financial inclusion in development and highlights the transformative role of fintech in expanding access. While there has been notable progress in account ownership and digital payments, significant disparities persist, particularly among women, the poor, and the young. The report serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners aiming to deepen financial inclusion and leverage technology for broader economic impact.