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Defining and measuring financial inclusion: A systematic review and confirmatory factor analysis

Author

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  • Vanesa Pesqué‐Cela
  • Lihui Tian
  • Deming Luo
  • Damian Tobin
  • Gerhard Kling

Abstract

This study re‐examines the construct of financial inclusion, through a literature review and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). First, we conduct a systematic review of definitions, measures and data sources. Second, we apply CFA to test two prominent financial inclusion indices. The CFA analysis reveals a high correlation between the ‘access’ and ‘use’ dimensions; hence, indices fail to capture the multidimensionality of financial inclusion. Existing indices tend to be biased towards measuring the supply‐side and quantitative aspects of financial inclusion. The extent to which lower income individuals and smaller firms have been incorporated into the formal financial sector is not captured.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanesa Pesqué‐Cela & Lihui Tian & Deming Luo & Damian Tobin & Gerhard Kling, 2021. "Defining and measuring financial inclusion: A systematic review and confirmatory factor analysis," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 316-341, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:33:y:2021:i:2:p:316-341
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jesús Antonio López Cabrera & Francisco Gabriel Villarreal & Diego Cardoso López, 2023. "Una propuesta de medición de la inclusión financiera en México," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 18(3), pages 1-41, Julio - S.
    3. Carlos Sakyi‐Nyarko & Ahmad Hassan Ahmad & Christopher J. Green, 2022. "The role of financial inclusion in improving household well‐being," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(8), pages 1606-1632, November.
    4. Thereza Balliester Reis, 2022. "Socio‐economic determinants of financial inclusion: An evaluation with a microdata multidimensional index," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(3), pages 587-611, April.
    5. Sana Rashid & Zulfqar Ahmed Bowra & Abid Hussain, 2022. "An Empirical Investigation Of Financial Inclusion On Financial Wellbeing Of Working Women: A Mediating Role Of Financial Capability," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 11(1), pages 14-23, March.
    6. Rocío Maehara & Luis Benites & Alvaro Talavera & Alejandro Aybar-Flores & Miguel Muñoz, 2024. "Predicting Financial Inclusion in Peru: Application of Machine Learning Algorithms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, January.
    7. Damane, Moeti & Ho, Sin-Yu, 2024. "The impact of financial inclusion on financial stability: review of theories and international evidence," MPRA Paper 120369, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Ahmad, Ahmad Hassan & Green, Christopher J. & Jiang, Fei & Murinde, Victor, 2023. "Mobile money, ICT, financial inclusion and growth: How different is Africa?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    9. Amoako, Frimpong & Asuamah Yeboah, Samuel, 2023. ""Community Voices in Control: A Systematic Review of Local Representation's Influence on RCB Governance Structure’’," MPRA Paper 118629, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 10 Sep 2023.

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