Financial Literacy and Inclusion Dynamics Within Developing Asian Markets: A Panel Data Assessment Of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and India

Authors

  • Faizah Syihab Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Business and Humanities, Trilogi University, Jakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Hendyansyah Putra Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Business and Humanities, Trilogi University, Jakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Denta Mandra Pradipta Budiastomo Department of Visual Communication Design, Faculty of Science, Technology and Design, Trilogi University, Jakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Nida Aisyah Ramadhani Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Business and Humanities, Trilogi University, Jakarta, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61994/equivalent.v4i2.2116

Keywords:

ASEAN, digital finance, financial inclusion, financial literacy, panel data

Abstract

This study investigates the development of financial literacy and financial inclusion in seven emerging Asian economies, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India during 2015–2025. Using secondary panel data collected from the World Bank Global Findex Database, G20 Financial Inclusion Indicators, and official economic reports, this research analyzes the influence of digital financial access, internet penetration, and GDP per capita on financial literacy performance. The study applies panel regression analysis using a fixed effect model. The findings indicate that digital payment adoption, internet accessibility, and economic growth significantly improve financial literacy levels across Asian developing economies. Singapore and Malaysia demonstrate the highest financial literacy achievements, while Indonesia and the Philippines exhibit substantial improvement during the post-pandemic digital transformation period. This research enriches contemporary literature regarding digital financial inclusion and consumer capacity in emerging territories, offering actionable structural insights for regulatory bodies and financial firms.

References

Asian Development Bank. (2021). Accelerating digital transformation in Southeast Asia: Industry digital transformation. ADB Publishing

Barberis, N., & Thaler, R. (2003). A survey of behavioral finance. Handbook of the Economics of Finance, 1, 1053-1123. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0080(03)01027-6

Beck, T., Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Levine, R. (2007). Finance, inequality, and the poor. Journal of Economic Growth, 12(1), 27-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-007-9010-6

Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. National Bureau of Economic Research.

Campbell, J. Y. (2006). Household finance. The Journal of Finance, 61(4), 1553-1604. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.2006.00883.x

Cordero, J. M., Gil-Izquierdo, M., & Pedraja-Chaparro, F. (2020). Financial education and student financial literacy: A cross-country analysis using PISA 2012 data. The Social Science Journal, 59(1), 15–33.

Cupák, A., Fessler, P., Schneebaum, A., & Silgoner, M. (2018). Decomposing gender gaps in financial literacy: New international evidence. Applied Economics, 50(31), 3437-3458. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2017.1421111

de Clercq, B. (2019). A comparative analysis of the OECD/INFE financial knowledge assessment using the Rasch model. Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, 11(8), 1–17.

Demirgüç-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., Ansar, S., & Hess, J. (2018). The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank.

Demirgüç-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., & Ansar, S. (2022). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial inclusion, digital payments, and resilience in the age of COVID-19. World Bank.

Demirgüç-Kunt, A., et al. (2025). Global Findex Database 2025. World Bank.

Erdem, S., & Erdem, M. (2018). Cross-country determinants of financial literacy: The role of institutional quality and educational systems. Istanbul Business Research, 47(2), 155-174. https://doi.org/10.26650/ibr.2018.47.0018

Fernandes, D., Lynch Jr, J. G., & Netemeyer, R. G. (2014). Financial literacy, financial education, and downstream financial behaviors. Management Science, 60(8), 1861-1883. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1849

Grohmann, A., Klahs, T., & Menkhoff, L. (2018). Does financial literacy improve financial inclusion? Cross-country evidence. World Development, 111, 84-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.06.020

Hilgert, M. A., Hogarth, J. M., & Beverly, S. G. (2003). Household financial management: The connection between knowledge and behavior. Federal Reserve Bulletin, 89, 309-322.

Huston, S. J. (2010). Measuring financial literacy. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 44(2), 296-316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6606.2010.01170.x

Jappelli, T. (2010). Economic literacy: An international comparison. The Economic Journal, 120(548), F429-F451. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2010.02397.x

Johnson, E., & Sherraden, M. S. (2007). From financial literacy to financial capability among youth. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 34(3), 119-145

Klapper, A., Lusardi, A., & van Oudheusden, P. (2015). Financial literacy around the world: Insights from the Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services Global Financial Literacy Survey. World Bank

Kozol, E. (2025). A cross-country analysis of determinants of financial literacy: Evidence from 143 countries. Borsa Istanbul Review, 25, 38–44.

Kutan, A. M., Ghimire, B., & Ahmed, F. (2021). Does institutional quality and governance foster financial literacy? Global panel evidence. International Review of Economics & Finance, 73, 211-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2021.01.012

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007). Baby boomer retirement security: The roles of planning, financial literacy, and housing wealth. Journal of Monetary Economics, 54(1), 205-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoneco.2006.12.001

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2011). Financial literacy around the world: An overview. Journal of Pension Economics & Finance, 10(4), 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1017/S147474721100044X

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5–44. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.52.1.5

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. (2022). Financial Literacy and Economic Outcomes.

Morgan, P. J., & Trinh, L. Q. (2019). Impacts of financial literacy on inclusive growth and poverty reduction in Asia. ADBI Working Paper Series, No. 963. Asian Development Bank Institute.

Nicolini, G., & Haupt, M. (2019). The assessment of financial literacy: New evidence from Europe. International Journal of Financial Studies, 7(3), 54.

OECD. (2012). Financial education in schools: Challenges, case studies and policy guidance. OECD Publishing.

OECD. (2020). OECD/INFE 2020 International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy. OECD Publishing.

OECD. (2023). OECD/INFE International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy. Paris: OECD Publishing.

OECD. (2023). Financial Literacy and Inclusion Report.

Ozili, P. K. (2018). Impact of digital finance on financial inclusion and stability. Borsa Istanbul Review, 18(4), 329-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2017.12.003

Sherraden, M. S. (2013). Building financial capability. In Assets and the Poor (pp. 115-138). Routledge.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. (2023). Global Financial Literacy Survey Report.

United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Human Development Report 2024.

Van Hove, L., & Ahunov, M. (2024). Financial literacy: Different indicator, different insights? Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1), 1–18.

World Bank. (2022). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial inclusion, digital payments, and resilience in the age of COVID-19. World Bank Publications.

World Bank. (2024). Global Findex Database 2024. Washington DC.

World Bank. (2025). Financial Inclusion Overview. Washington DC.

Worldwide Governance Indicators. (2024). Governance Indicators Database.

Yoshino, N., Morgan, P. J., & Long, T. Q. (2020). Financial literacy and macroeconomic stability. ADBI Working Paper Series, No. 1115. Asian Development Bank Institute.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-05

How to Cite

Faizah Syihab, Hendyansyah Putra, Denta Mandra Pradipta Budiastomo, & Nida Aisyah Ramadhani. (2026). Financial Literacy and Inclusion Dynamics Within Developing Asian Markets: A Panel Data Assessment Of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and India. Equivalent : Journal of Economic, Accounting and Management, 4(2), 3416-3428. https://doi.org/10.61994/equivalent.v4i2.2116