Is there a Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion across Countries?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the differences between men and women in 7 segments related to the financial inclusion. Research is based on the Global Findex Database for 2017. Sample comprises 144 countries worldwide. Authors applied nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test using a 95% confidence interval. Results of Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test show that there are statistically significant differences between men and women in owning a financial institution account, saving at a financial institution, borrowing from a financial institution, owning a credit card, using a mobile phone or the Internet to access an account, using the Internet to pay bills or to buy something online, and making or receiving digital payments. In this regard, countries should focus their policies on measures to increase and improve women's financial inclusion, especially in the segments related to making or receiving digital payments and owning a financial institution account.