WB’s Global Findex Report 2025

Current Context: The Global Findex Database 2025, released by the World Bank on 16 July 2025, provides a comprehensive overview of financial inclusion across 141 economies.

• Compiled by the Development Economics Vice Presidency and Finance & Private Sector Development team, the report is titled “Connectivity and Financial Inclusion in the Digital Economy”.
• Based on a 2024 survey of over 145,000 adults, the report shows 79% of people globally own financial accounts—India leads with 89%, though 16% are inactive, indicating usage gaps.
• With a focus on digital tools, the report introduces a Digital Connectivity Tracker and notes progress in mobile money, formal savings, and gender parity, especially in low- and middle-income nations.
• Despite gains, 1.3 billion adults remain unbanked, and India is among the top contributors. Barriers like low income, poor digital access, and infrastructure challenges persist.

Question:

Q.1 Which country leads in financial account ownership according to the Global Findex Database 2025?
a) China
b) India
c) Indonesia
d) Brazil

Answer: b) India leads with 89% of its adult population owning financial accounts, reflecting the impact of government and fintech initiatives.