The World Bank Group’s Global Findex 2025 report reveals a significant leap in financial inclusion across low- and middle-income countries, fueled by rapid mobile-phone adoption and digital innovation. For the first time, more adults than ever now hold financial accounts, marking a major milestone in efforts to bring underserved populations into the formal financial system.
According to the report, 40% of adults in developing economies saved in a financial account in 2024, a 16-percentage-point rise since 2021—the fastest recorded growth in over a decade. In Sub-Saharan Africa, formal savings rose by 12 percentage points, now encompassing 35% of adults.
A key driver of this progress is mobile-money technology. Today, 10% of adults in developing economies save using a mobile-money account, a notable increase from 5% in 2021. These tools are especially vital in regions with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure.
“Financial inclusion has the potential to improve lives and transform entire economies,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group. “We’re working with countries to expand digital IDs, modernize payment systems, and eliminate regulatory barriers so that people and businesses can innovate and grow.”
Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation and a Global Findex supporter, emphasized the empowerment this growth brings: “More people than ever have the financial tools to invest in their futures and build resilience. This is real progress.”
Key Global Milestones:
- Nearly 80% of adults worldwide now have a financial account, up from 50% in 2011.
- 1.3 billion adults remain unbanked, though 900 million own a mobile phone, and 530 million of them have smartphones—offering a clear pathway to greater inclusion.
- Digital payments surged: In 2024, 42% of adults in developing countries made digital payments to merchants, up from 35% in 2021.
- Government-to-person transfers are becoming more secure and efficient: 75% of government payment recipients and 50% of wage earners now receive funds directly into accounts.
- Gender gap narrowing: In low- and middle-income countries, women’s account ownership jumped from 37% in 2011 to 73% in 2024. Globally, 81% of men and 77% of women now own accounts.
Regional Highlights:
- East Asia & Pacific: Global leader in digital connectivity; 83% account ownership, 86% smartphone ownership.
- Europe & Central Asia: Tops in internet and social media usage; 94% mobile phone ownership.
- Latin America & Caribbean: 70% account ownership; over half use digital transactions.
- Middle East & North Africa: Account ownership grew to 53% from 45% in 2021; formal saving jumped to 17%.
- South Asia: Nearly 80% of adults have an account—driven by India’s 90% rate for both genders; 65% own mobile phones.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Account ownership climbed to 58%; continues to lead the world in mobile money usage.
Security & Connectivity Challenges
While mobile access is surging—86% of adults globally own a mobile phone, and 68% own a smartphone—security remains a concern. In low- and middle-income countries, only half of mobile phone owners protect their devices with a password.
To sustain momentum, the report calls for investments in:
- Real-time payment systems (e.g., India’s UPI, Brazil’s PIX),
- Digital public infrastructure,
- Stronger consumer protections, and
- Broader internet and device accessibility.
As digital tools reshape how people interact with money, the 2025 Global Findex paints a hopeful picture: financial inclusion is rising rapidly, offering a transformative pathway to reduce poverty, empower communities, and unlock economic potential—especially for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
