Measuring Financial Inclusion in Western Balkan Countries – A Comparative Survey (doi: 10.14706/icesos1715)

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Title

Measuring Financial Inclusion in Western Balkan Countries – A Comparative Survey (doi: 10.14706/icesos1715)

Author

Kokorovic Jukan, Meldina
Babajic, Amra
Softic, Amra

Abstract

Abstract: According to the World Bank, more than one quarter of worlds’ population is without a bank account and is excluded from financial system. Improving financial inclusion and building inclusive financial systems is in agenda of all policy makers in both developed and developing countries aiming to include the poorest part of the population in to the financial system. Financial inclusion is becoming more important topic in academic world, but also among regulators and policy makers. In order to emphasize the importance of financial inclusion, this paper investigates the extent of financial inclusion among Western Balkan countries and in comparison to other developing regions around the world. Using data from the World Banks’ Global Findex data base, this paper provides comparison of the level of financial inclusion in Western Balkans counties, focusing on the importance of government role in increasing financial inclusion. Research shows similar level of financial inclusion within Western Balkan countries measured by the following indicators of financial inclusion: percentage of population having formal account at a financial institution, percentage of population saving at financial institution and percentage of population borrowing at financial institution. Furthermore, the research shows that the level of financial inclusion in Western Balkan countries is slightly above the levels in other developing regions around the world, but still Western Balkan countries lack national financial inclusion strategies which will help increase their levels of financial inclusion to the level of more developed countries. Keywords: financial inclusion, Western Balkan countries, developing regions, national financial inclusion strategies, policy makers

Keywords

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

Date

2017

Extent

3652

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