IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/ijfiec/v30y2025i2p1348-1371.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unveiling financial inclusion dynamics: Fintech's resonance in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Author

Listed:
  • Dao Ha
  • Mai Nguyen
  • Kim Nguyen
  • Ahmet Şensoy

Abstract

This article examines the determinants of financial inclusion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEANs), with a particular focus on the role of financial technology (fintech). We constructed an extensive and up‐to‐date Global Financial Inclusion database (2011, 2014, 2017, and 2021) to generate 26,185 observations for seven ASEAN countries over a decade, and conducted a separate case study for Singapore, the region's most financially developed member. The results reveal that financial inclusion and financial technology have experienced robust growth in ASEAN but to varying degrees amongst the member countries. Fintech has a significant impact on financial inclusion over the specified period. The relationship between age and financial inclusion follows an inverted U‐shaped pattern, with the turning point occurring between the ages of 29 and 45. Surprisingly, gender does not appear to be a determining factor. These results align with the aspirations of ASEAN policymakers to promote financial inclusion in line with the sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Dao Ha & Mai Nguyen & Kim Nguyen & Ahmet Şensoy, 2025. "Unveiling financial inclusion dynamics: Fintech's resonance in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 1348-1371, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ijfiec:v:30:y:2025:i:2:p:1348-1371
    DOI: 10.1002/ijfe.2963
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2963
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/ijfe.2963?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asli Demirgüç-Kunt & Leora Klapper & Dorothe Singer & Saniya Ansar & Jake Hess, 2020. "The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring Financial Inclusion and Opportunities to Expand Access to and Use of Financial Services," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 34(Supplemen), pages 2-8.
    2. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2018. "ICT, Financial Access and Gender Inclusion in the Formal Economic Sector: Evidence from Africa," The African Finance Journal, Africagrowth Institute, vol. 20(2), pages 45-65.
    3. Fungáčová, Zuzana & Weill, Laurent, 2015. "Understanding financial inclusion in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 196-206.
    4. Allen, Franklin & Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Klapper, Leora & Martinez Peria, Maria Soledad, 2016. "The foundations of financial inclusion: Understanding ownership and use of formal accounts," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 1-30.
    5. Dong, Jiajia & Dou, Yue & Jiang, Qingzhe & Zhao, Jun, 2022. "Can financial inclusion facilitate carbon neutrality in China? The role of energy efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    6. Beck, Thorsten & Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Martinez Peria, Maria Soledad, 2007. "Reaching out: Access to and use of banking services across countries," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(1), pages 234-266, July.
    7. Rosmah Nizam & Zulkefly Abdul Karim & Aisyah Abdul Rahman & Tamat Sarmidi, 2020. "Financial inclusiveness and economic growth: new evidence using a threshold regression analysis," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 1465-1484, January.
    8. Jo Thori Lind & Halvor Mehlum, 2010. "With or Without U? The Appropriate Test for a U‐Shaped Relationship," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 72(1), pages 109-118, February.
    9. Cyn-Young Park & Rogelio Mercado, 2018. "Financial Inclusion, Poverty, And Income Inequality," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 63(01), pages 185-206, March.
    10. Davidson, Russell & MacKinnon, James G., 1984. "Convenient specification tests for logit and probit models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 241-262, July.
    11. Gamze Ozturk Danisman & Amine Tarazi, 2020. "Financial inclusion and bank stability: evidence from Europe," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(18), pages 1842-1855, December.
    12. Thanh Tam Le & Nguyen Dieu Linh Dang & Thi Dieu Thu Nguyen & Thanh Son Vu & Manh Dung Tran, 2019. "Determinants of Financial Inclusion: Comparative Study of Asian Countries," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(10), pages 1107-1123.
    13. Peter J. Morgan, 2022. "Fintech and Financial Inclusion in Southeast Asia and India," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 17(2), pages 183-208, July.
    14. Ann L. Owen & Javier M. Pereira, 2018. "Bank concentration, competition, and financial inclusion," Review of Development Finance Journal, Chartered Institute of Development Finance, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17.
    15. Ahamed, M. Mostak & Mallick, Sushanta K., 2019. "Is financial inclusion good for bank stability? International evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 403-427.
    16. Josephine Ofosu‐Mensah Ababio & Edward Attah‐Botchwey & Eric Osei‐Assibey & Charles Barnor, 2021. "Financial inclusion and human development in frontier countries," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 42-59, January.
    17. Tasawar Nawaz, 2022. "What's in an education? Implications of CEO education for financial inclusion," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(3), pages 3741-3753, July.
    18. Ghosh, Saibal & Vinod, D., 2017. "What Constrains Financial Inclusion for Women? Evidence from Indian Micro data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 60-81.
    19. Aparna Gosavi, 2018. "Can Mobile Money Help Firms Mitigate the Problem of Access to Finance in Eastern sub-Saharan Africa?," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(3), pages 343-360, July.
    20. Mohamed Noureldin Sayed & Amir Shusha, 2019. "Determinants of Financial Inclusion in Egypt," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(12), pages 1383-1404, December.
    21. Xiuhua Wang & Jian Guan, 2017. "Financial inclusion: measurement, spatial effects and influencing factors," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(18), pages 1751-1762, April.
    22. Carla Fernandes & Maria Rosa Borges & Jorge Caiado, 2021. "The contribution of digital financial services to financial inclusion in Mozambique: an ARDL model approach," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(3), pages 400-409, January.
    23. Ayse Demir & Vanesa Pesqué-Cela & Yener Altunbas & Victor Murinde, 2022. "Fintech, financial inclusion and income inequality: a quantile regression approach," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 86-107, January.
    24. Riffai, M.M.M.A. & Grant, Kevin & Edgar, David, 2012. "Big TAM in Oman: Exploring the promise of on-line banking, its adoption by customers and the challenges of banking in Oman," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 239-250.
    25. Isaac Koomson & Renato A. Villano & David Hadley, 2020. "Intensifying financial inclusion through the provision of financial literacy training: a gendered perspective," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(4), pages 375-387, January.
    26. Robin Burgess & Rohini Pande & Grace Wong, 2005. "Banking for the Poor: Evidence From India," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 3(2-3), pages 268-278, 04/05.
    27. Morshadul Hasan & Thi Le & Ariful Hoque, 2021. "How does financial literacy impact on inclusive finance?," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-23, December.
    28. Mihasonirina Andrianaivo & Kangni Kpodar, 2012. "Mobile Phones, Financial Inclusion, and Growth," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 3(2).
    29. Sen, Amartya K, 1980. "Description as Choice," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(3), pages 353-369, November.
    30. Abhipsa Pal & Rahul De’ & Tejaswini Herath, 2020. "The Role of Mobile Payment Technology in Sustainable and Human-Centric Development: Evidence from the Post-Demonetization Period in India," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 607-631, June.
    31. Senyo, PK & Osabutey, Ellis L.C., 2020. "Unearthing antecedents to financial inclusion through FinTech innovations," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    32. Sanjaya Kumar Lenka & Rajesh Barik, 2018. "Has expansion of mobile phone and internet use spurred financial inclusion in the SAARC countries?," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 4(1), pages 1-19, December.
    33. Tran Hung Son & Nguyen Thanh Liem & Huynh Thi Ngoc Ly, 2019. "Understanding Financial Inclusion in Vietnam," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 10(3), pages 382-390, December.
    34. Liu, Yang & Luan, Lin & Wu, Weilong & Zhang, Zhiqiang & Hsu, Yen, 2021. "Can digital financial inclusion promote China's economic growth?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    35. Mohamed Noureldin Sayed & Amir Shusha, 2019. "Determinants of Financial Inclusion in Egypt," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(12), pages 1383-1404.
    36. Kanittha Tambunlertchai, 2018. "Determinants And Barriers To Financial Inclusion In Myanmar: What Determines Access To Financial Services And What Hinders It?," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 63(01), pages 9-26, March.
    37. Anthony Amoah & Kofi Korle & Rexford Kweku Asiama, 2020. "Mobile money as a financial inclusion instrument: what are the determinants?," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 47(10), pages 1283-1297, August.
    38. Thanh Tam Le & Nguyen Dieu Linh Dang & Thi Dieu Thu Nguyen & Thanh Son Vu & Manh Dung Tran, 2019. "Determinants of Financial Inclusion: Comparative Study of Asian Countries," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(10), pages 1107-1123, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. R. V. Naveenan & Chee Yoong Liew & Ploypailin Kijkasiwat, 2024. "Nexus Between Financial Inclusion, Digital Inclusion and Health Outcomes: Evidence from Developing Economies," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 367-408, August.
    2. Shubham Chavriya & Gagan Deep Sharma & Mandeep Mahendru, 2024. "Financial inclusion as a tool for sustainable macroeconomic growth: An integrative analysis," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(2), pages 527-551, June.
    3. Sha’ban, Mais & Ayadi, Rym & Forouheshfar, Yeganeh & Challita, Sandra & Sandri, Serena, 2024. "Digital and traditional financial inclusion: Trends and drivers," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(PB).
    4. Tram, Thi Xuan Huong & Lai, Tien Dinh & Nguyen, Thi Truc Huong, 2023. "Constructing a composite financial inclusion index for developing economies," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 257-265.
    5. Abdoulganiour Almame Tinta & Idrissa Mohamed Ouédraogo & Ramatu Mahama Al‐Hassan, 2022. "The micro determinants of financial inclusion and financial resilience in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(2), pages 293-306, June.
    6. Dao Ha & Phuong Le & Duc Khuong Nguyen, 2025. "Financial inclusion and fintech: a state-of-the-art systematic literature review," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 1-42, December.
    7. Murshed, Muntasir & Ahmed, Rizwan & Al-Tal, Raad Mahmoud & Kumpamool, Chamaiporn & Vetchagool, Witchulada & Avarado, Rafael, 2023. "Determinants of financial inclusion in South Asia: The moderating and mediating roles of internal conflict settlement," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Fielding, David & Regasa, Dereje, 2024. "Banking competition and financial inclusion: Evidence from Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    9. Ahmad Hassan Ahmad & Christopher Green & Fei Jiang, 2020. "Mobile Money, Financial Inclusion And Development: A Review With Reference To African Experience," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 753-792, September.
    10. Julie Birkenmaier & Jin Huang, 2024. "A systematic conceptual review of financial access," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 367-396, June.
    11. Zhao, Yang & Goodell, John W. & Dong, Qingli & Wang, Yong & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul, 2022. "Overcoming spatial stratification of fintech inclusion: Inferences from across Chinese provinces to guide policy makers," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    12. Bao Zhu & Shiting Zhai & Jing He, 2018. "Is the Development of China’s Financial Inclusion Sustainable? Evidence from a Perspective of Balance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    13. Zhian Zhiow Augustinne Wong & Ramez Abubakr Badeeb & Abey P. Philip, 2023. "Financial Inclusion, Poverty, and Income Inequality in ASEAN Countries: Does Financial Innovation Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 471-503, September.
    14. Marybeth-Rouse & Bernardo Batiz-Lazo & Santiago Carbo-Valverde, 2023. "Financial inclusion in South Africa - Influencing factors and public policy," Papers 23001, Working Papers of Business and Economics School. Anahuac University (Mexico)..
    15. Emmanuel Opoku & Kwasi Poku & Daniel Domeher, 2024. "Financial Inclusion, Human Capital Development and Economic Growth in Africa: An Examination of the Transmission Channel," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, August.
    16. Hasan, Morshadul & Hoque, Ariful & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul & Gasbarro, Dominic, 2024. "FinTech and sustainable development: A systematic thematic analysis using human- and machine-generated processing," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PC).
    17. Kais Tissaoui & Abdelaziz Hakimi & Taha Zaghdoudi, 2024. "Can financial inclusion enhance human development? Evidence from low- and middle-income countries," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    18. Adugna, Hailu, 2024. "Fintech dividend: How would digital financial services impact income inequality across countries?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    19. Foguesatto, Cristian Rogério & Righi, Marcelo Brutti & Müller, Fernanda Maria, 2024. "Is there a dark side to financial inclusion? Understanding the relationship between financial inclusion and market risk," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    20. Taylor, Daniel & Osei-Tutu, Francis & Awuye, Isaac S., 2024. "The role of accounting standards in financial inclusion," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:ijfiec:v:30:y:2025:i:2:p:1348-1371. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1076-9307/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.