Nepal has seen a notable improvement in financial services in terms of access, usage and quality, according to a Financial Inclusion Index released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Sunday.
The index shows that Nepal’s financial inclusion score increased from 0.47 to 0.53 in fiscal year 2024/25, reflecting broader and more stable access to financial services across the country. The improvement has been driven by increased access to finance, greater use of digital platforms and enhanced service quality.
The index was developed using a methodology similar to the Human Development Index, with values ranging from 0 to 1, where a higher score indicates greater financial inclusion. A total of 55 indicators were used under three main dimensions: access, usage and quality.
According to the report, the access index reached 0.53, highlighting the expansion of banks and financial institutions as well as the growth of digital transactions. The usage index stood at 0.54, while the quality index was recorded at 0.50.
NRB attributed the progress to its policy initiatives, the adoption of digital financial innovations and improved regulatory oversight, which together have strengthened Nepal’s financial inclusion landscape.
