Using microdata from the 2014 Global Findex, along with macroeconomic indicators, we investigate financial inclusion for the MENA region. We find that economically vulnerable populations are significantly less likely to be financially included. Households living in MENA countries with higher levels of financial literacy are more likely to be engaged in positive savings behaviors and less likely to be borrowing, especially from informal sources. Financial literacy and other macro characteristics, however, do not relate to all individuals equally, especially for those most vulnerable. The findings have important implications for policies in the MENA region, where prolonged conflicts make financial inclusion an even more urgent, yet challenging, goal.
| First name | Last name | Gender | Rank | Affiliated Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angela | Lyons | Female | United States of America | ||
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Bio: Angela Lyons is an Associate Professor and the Director for the Center for Economic and Financial Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the U.S. She is widely recognized as an international expert in household and behavioral economics, focusing on economic and financial inclusion, financial and digital literacy, poverty and wealth inequality, and the financial security of vulnerable populations. She has assisted over 40 countries in designing practical and sustainable models to improve the financial stability of communities worldwide. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. To learn more about Dr. Lyons, visit: http://ace.illinois.edu/directory/anglyons. |
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| Josephine | Kass-Hanna | Female | Saint Joseph University | Lebanon | |
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Bio: Josephine Kass-Hanna is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration and Management at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. Her research revolves around financial inclusion, financial and digital literacy, inequality, and economic security of vulnerable populations. Prior to joining academia, she worked for seven years as an auditor and consultant for SMEs. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Perpignan, France. |
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Scientific field
Economics
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Start Year2016
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End Year 2019
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