A Survey on Financial Inclusion: Theoretical and Empirical Literature Review

Abstract

Recently, policymakers and researchers have shifted their attention toward financial inclusion to control poverty, the black economy, tax collection, and financial development. Empirical and Theoretical literature shows that financial inclusion has become a fundamental requirement for economic development. This study provides a detailed literature review covering recent development in financial inclusion among different nations as well as in different reigns. This study highlights the major factors which influence financial inclusion i.e., financial literacy, financial innovations, financial regulation, financial stability, income, information communication technology, gender differences, cost of financial services, economic conditions, and political situations. These indicators are different across countries which becomes the major reason for variations in financial inclusion among countries. This study also highlights some demand-side and supply-side factors of financial inclusion. This study suggests that availability, accessibility, and usage are the major dimensions of financial inclusion which are measured by saving, lending, no of ATMs, no of bank branches, and no. of bank accounts. The study also has several dimensions of financial inclusion for future research.