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Financial Inclusion: What Have We Learned So Far? What Do We Have to Learn?

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Adolfo Barajas
  • Thorsten Beck
  • Mohammed Belhaj
  • Sami Ben Naceur

Abstract

The past two decades have seen a rapid increase in interest in financial inclusion, both from policymakers and researchers. This paper surveys the main findings from the literature, documenting the trends over time and gaps that have arisen across regions, income levels, and gender, among others. It points out that structural, as well as policy-related, factors, such as encouraging banking competition or channeling government payments through bank accounts, play an important role, and describes the potential macro and microeconomic benefits that can be derived from greater financial inclusion. It argues that policy should aim to identify and reduce frictions holding back financial inclusion, rather than targeting specific levels of inclusion. Finally, it suggests areas for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Adolfo Barajas & Thorsten Beck & Mohammed Belhaj & Sami Ben Naceur, 2020. "Financial Inclusion: What Have We Learned So Far? What Do We Have to Learn?," IMF Working Papers 2020/157, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2020/157
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rodríguez-Lesmes, Paul & Gutierrez, Luis H. & Urueña-Mejia, Juan Carlos & Ortiz, Andres & Medina Rojas, Ivan & Romero, Mauricio, 2023. "The role of local promoters in helping microentrepreneurs engage in digital business training. The case of Expertienda," Documentos de Trabajo 20902, Universidad del Rosario.
    2. García-Suaza, A & Rodríguez-González, D & Sarango, A & Mayorga, J. D & Pretel, A & Husain-Talero, S & Zarama, L & Urbano, J. C., Girón, D., Medina, N, 2022. "Los impactos de la inclusión financiera en los micronegocios: factores que explican aumentos en los ingresos y crecimiento de los negocios," Documentos de Trabajo 20418, Universidad del Rosario.
    3. Valerie Cerra, 2022. "A Framework For Inclusive And Sustainable Growth In Asia And The Pacific," Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Journal, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), vol. 29(1), pages 17-41, May.
    4. Ozili, Peterson K, 2021. "Financial inclusion: the globally important determinants," MPRA Paper 111342, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Erel, Isil & Liebersohn, Jack, 2022. "Can FinTech reduce disparities in access to finance? Evidence from the Paycheck Protection Program," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(1), pages 90-118.
    6. Ozili, Peterson K, 2022. "Financial inclusion washing," MPRA Paper 114337, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Juan Antonio González Sierra & Carla Carolina Pérez Hernández & Jessica Mendoza Moheno, 2023. "Inclusión financiera y complejidad económica 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(2), pages 1-25, Abril - J.
    8. Ebert, Cara & Flörchinger, Daniela & Frohnweiler, Sarah & Ihring, Stephanie & Rosadio Cayllahua, Karen Micaela, 2021. "Employment and income effects of skills development interventions: An impact evaluation of three employment promotion measures in Eastern Africa within GIZ's employment and skills for development prog," RWI Projektberichte, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, number 251877.
    9. Zeqiraj, Veton & Sohag, Kazi & Hammoudeh, Shawkat, 2022. "Financial inclusion in developing countries: Do quality institutions matter?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    10. Ozili, Peterson K, 2023. "Impact of monetary policy on financial inclusion in emerging markets," MPRA Paper 117804, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Nkambule, Maxwell Banele, 2022. "The financial inclusion status of rural households in Eswatini," Research Theses 334766, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    12. Rojas Cama, Freddy A. & Emara, Noha, 2022. "Financial inclusion and gross capital formation: A sectoral analysis approach for the MENA region and EMs," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    13. Tonuchi E. Joseph & Nwolisa U. Chinyere & Obikaonu C. Pauline & Alase, A. Gbenga, 2021. "Monetary Policy Effectiveness and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria: FinTech, ‘the Disrupter’ or ‘Enabler’," International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, Online Academic Press, vol. 9(1), pages 19-27.
    14. Park, Cyn-Young & Mercado, Rogelio, 2021. "Understanding Financial Inclusion: What Matters and How It Matters," ADBI Working Papers 1287, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    15. Charfeddine, Lanouar & Zaouali, Sana, 2022. "The effects of financial inclusion and the business environment in spurring the creation of early-stage firms and supporting established firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-15.
    16. Ghosh, Saibal, 2021. "How important is trust in driving financial inclusion?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).
    17. Juan Carlos Urueña-Mejía & Luis H. Gutierrez & Paul Rodríguez-Lesmes, 2023. "Financial inclusion and business practices of microbusiness in Colombia," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 13(2), pages 465-494, June.
    18. Nagańska Aleksandra & Cichocki Stanisław, 2022. "Can People Trust What They Don‘t Understand? Role of Language and Trust for Financial Inclusion," Central European Economic Journal, Sciendo, vol. 9(56), pages 132-157, January.
    19. Valentina Vasile & Mirela Panait & Simona-Andreea Apostu, 2021. "Financial Inclusion Paradigm Shift in the Postpandemic Period. Digital-Divide and Gender Gap," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-28, October.
    20. Magda Bianco & Daniela Marconi & Angela Romagnoli & Massimiliano Stacchini, 2022. "Challenges for financial inclusion: the role for financial education and new directions," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 723, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    21. Mais Sha'ban & Claudia Girardone & Anna Sarkisyan & Thankom Arun, 2023. "On the relationship between financial inclusion and bank performance," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 52(3), November.
    22. Gasmi, Farid & Aurazo, Jose, 2022. "Labor informality and financial inclusion transitions: Evidence from Peru," TSE Working Papers 22-1349, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).

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