Financial inclusion across Asia is expected to reach 80.2% by 2030, surpassing the projected global average of 76.8%, according to analysts at UnaFinancial.

This growth positions the region as a global leader in financial accessibility. The analysts have developed an index of financial accessibility in Asia and made a forecast based on the available historical data. The index incorporates factors, such as financial institution account ownership, digital payments usage, debit and credit card ownership, and borrowing and saving experience. For the final estimate, each parameter was weighted based on its impact on access to finance.

According to the calculations, the level of financial inclusion in Asia could reach 69.5% in 2024, up from 67.2% in 2023. Over the past 15 years, this figure grew by 82%. Compared to the global average of 67.4%, Asian countries have overtaken it, positioning the region as a leader in financial accessibility.

The experts said, “Asia lagged behind other regions between 2010 and 2015, matched global levels from 2016 to 2022, and has since taken the lead. This trend is driven by active digital transformation and improvements in the regulatory environment, which have allowed for the expansion of financial services even in remote areas."

The analysts noted that Asia is expected to be more active in adopting technology solutions to improve financial inclusion between 2025 and 2030. They estimate that by 2030, the financial accessibility in the region could reach 80.2%, compared to 76.8% globally. “The combination of technological innovation, educational initiatives, the expansion of digital infrastructure and the development of alternative lending creates a solid foundation for further improvement of financial inclusion in Asia," analysts commented.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker