The determinants of financial inclusion from the households’ perspectives in Vietnam

Abstract

Various studies have been conducted to measure financial inclusion at the country level. However, measuring financial inclusion at the household level has largely been neglected in the existing literature, particularly for emerging markets such as Vietnam. This study constructs an index of financial inclusion at the household level using the Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys (VHLSS) in 2014, 2016, and 2018. We also identify the determinants of financial inclusion from the perspective of Vietnamese households. Our study also utilizes an ordered logit model to examine the effects of the determinants on each level of financial inclusion. Our empirical results reveal three key determinants, including (i) total income per household, (ii) relative income representing the difference between the average income of the province that the household currently lives in and the total income of this household, and (iii) the distance from the household to the nearest bank branch, are crucial factors driving the financial inclusion. While the total income per household positively enhances financial inclusion, relative income appears to reduce the degree of financial inclusion. Besides, distance to the nearest bank branch poses another challenge in achieving the financial inclusion goals in Vietnam in the future.