Progress In Global Financial Inclusion Stalls After Two Years Of Significant Improvement, According To The 2025 Research Study From Principal®

Higher financial literacy results in lower loan default rates, higher loan affordability, and stronger GDP growth

By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas

Financial inclusion, which improved globally over the last two years, plateaued in 2025, according to the latest Global Financial Inclusion Index (the Index) from Principal Financial Group®. The findings mark an inflection point, with business uncertainty arising from shifting global trade dynamics and geopolitical tensions driving companies to provide measures supporting financial inclusion, such as flexible pay or more generous insurance and pension benefits. In response, the data shows governments and financial systems stepping in to help advance financial inclusion.

Now in its fourth year, the Index, conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and Principal®, examines how governments, financial systems, and employers enable greater levels of financial inclusion across 42 markets. The report provides a comprehensive and comparative evaluation of financial inclusion on a global scale, ranking markets on a relative basis in addition to an absolute score. Singapore ranks as the world’s most financially inclusive market – a position it has held since the Index launched.

“Capital markets have stepped in while employers have regressed in their ability to provide support. This year highlights how financial literacy creates a positive cycle, empowering households to better manage their debt, which in turn frees up money for retirement savings and business opportunities, ” said president and CEO, Principal Asset ManagementSM Kamal Bhatia. “In a year defined by geopolitical shocks and tighter funding conditions, markets with stronger financial literacy and tech-enabled access were better able to cushion families from debt stress. Those gains translate into resilience at a national level- supporting growth, investment, and stability- while markets relying on more traditional approaches of employer support are at risk of falling behind as the pace of financial innovation bifurcates.”

Key Findings:

*The overall global financial inclusion score stands at 49.4 out of 100—a marginal drop of 0.2 points from 2024.

oThis is markedly higher than 41.7 when the Index launched in 2022. In 2025, 20 markets showed annual improvements in their scores, while 19 markets analyzed experienced declines.

*Employer support slowed globally, with the worldwide score falling 0.6 points.

oThirty-five markets (83%) registered declines in their employer support scores – strongly suggesting the impact of geopolitical and trade risks on business confidence causing companies to adopt more conservative approaches to employee benefits and flexible pay initiatives.

*As employers pulled back, governments and financial systems stepped up efforts to enable better access to, and understanding of, financial products and services.

oGlobally, the government support score rose 0.6 points, increasing in every major region and, across the wealthier regions of North America, Europe and the Middle East, the financial system score also rose. Thirty-five markets showed year-over-year improvements for either or both government and financial system scores.

*Detailed modelling shows higher financial literacy results in improved household debt management and lower borrowing costs.

oA 1 per cent improvement in financial literacy levels is associated with a 2.8 per cent reduction in defaults on household loans and a 6.7 per cent reduction in household debt-to-income ratios. This has a discernible GDP benefit over the long term.

*Since the launch of the Index, the markets which have increased their financial inclusion scores most are those that have successfully digitized their financial systems via investment in instant payments and open banking.

oArgentina, South Korea, Brazil, Thailand and Singapore – the Index’s biggest improvers – have made flagship reforms to their digital financial infrastructure.

*The Middle Eastern Gulf states saw the largest year-over-year increase in the financial system pillar, fueled by fintech, and digital transformation.

oThe UAE rose the most in the pillar (up five positions and 3.9 points), followed by Saudi Arabia (up four positions and 1.8 points).

“Geopolitical shocks and economic headwinds are reshaping financial inclusion. Employer-led efforts are losing momentum, while governments and financial systems are stepping in. To sustain progress, we need improved financial literacy, resilient institutions, and balanced partnerships,” said managing economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research Pushpin Singh,.

The United States shows improvements in overall financial inclusion amid economic headwinds

The US registered a marginal increase in its financial inclusion score, while its ranking remained unchanged at seventh. Improvements were primarily driven by a small rebound in financial system support, including gains in the underlying scores for presence and quality of fintech’s, borrowers’ and lenders’ protection rights, and access to credit, particularly the rise of private lending systems.

While the expansion of access to credit and financial tools supported the increase in the US score, the data suggests the more challenging economic backdrop was a barrier to greater progress. There was stagnation in access to credit and declines in the enabler of small and medium enterprise growth indicators, reflecting reduced funding availability, driven by concerns and confusion over policies and functions.