The Financial Inclusion Landscape in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Dozen Key Findings
IMF Working Papers, April 19, 2019
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- The Financial Inclusion Landscape in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Dozen Key Findings
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Sarwat Jahan, Jayendu De, Fazurin Jamaludin, Piyaporn Sodsriwiboon, Cormac Sullivan
- Published: April 19, 2019
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498305440.001
Summary
- Financial inclusion is a multidimensional concept and countries have chosen diverse methods of enhancing financial inclusion with varying degrees of results.
- The heterogeneity of financial inclusion is particularly striking in the Asia-Pacific region as member countries range from those that are at the cutting edge of financial technology to others that are aiming to provide access to basic financial services.
- The wide disparity in financial inclusion is not only inter-country but also intra-country.
- The paper highlights twelve stylized facts about the state of financial inclusion in Asia-Pacific countries.
- The paper finds that the state of financial inclusion depends on several factors, but "a holistic approach calibrated to specific country conditions may lead to greater financial inclusion."
Authors and Publication
- By Sarwat Jahan, Jayendu De, Fazurin Jamaludin, Piyaporn Sodsriwiboon, Cormac Sullivan
- April 19, 2019
- IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2019/079
- Issue: 079
- Volume: 2019
- Pages: 31
Identified Themes and Focus Areas
- Banking
- Financial inclusion
- Financial markets
- Financial sector development
- Financial services
- Fiscal accounting and reporting
- Mobile banking
- Public financial management (PFM)
- Technology
Keywords and Geographic Scope
- Asia and Pacific; Asia-Pacific; Asia-Pacific economy; Asia-Pacific EMs; Asia-Pacific region; Developing Asia; emerging economies in Asia-Pacific; emerging market; Emerging Markets; Financial Inclusion; Financial sector development; financial service; financial system; Fiscal accounting and reporting; Global; Mobile banking; Pacific Islands; South Asia; WP
Key Publication Identifiers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498305440.001
- ISBN: 9781498305440
- ISSN: 1018-5941
- Stock No: WPIEA2019079
Notable Observations (as stated in the paper)
- Countries in the Asia-Pacific region exhibit wide heterogeneity in levels and methods of financial inclusion, from advanced fintech adopters to countries focused on basic access.
- Disparities exist both across countries (inter-country) and within countries (intra-country).
- Multiple factors determine the state of financial inclusion; no single factor universally explains outcomes.
- Policy implication emphasized: a holistic approach calibrated to specific country conditions may lead to greater financial inclusion.
Research Context and Use
- The document is an IMF Working Paper intended to describe research in progress and to elicit comments and encourage debate.
- The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
Source: IMF Working Paper No. 2019/079, "The Financial Inclusion Landscape in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Dozen Key Findings" (April 19, 2019).
Content in this bundle
- Working Paper