The Global Findex Database: Financial Inclusion in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

In fragile and conflict-affected states just 15 percent of adults have an account at a formal financial institution while 26 percent report having saved in the past year, according to new data from the Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) database. Adults in these economies are significantly more likely than those in the rest of the developing world to report borrowing for health or emergency purposes. And the use of financial services varies sharply across groups with different individual characteristics. The Global Findex database can be used to track the effects of financial inclusion policies in fragile and conflict-affected states and develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of how people in these economies save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk.