More adults in low- and middle-income countries now hold bank or other financial accounts than ever before, driving a sharp increase in formal saving, according to the World Bank Group’s Global Findex 2025 report. This growing wave of financial inclusion is opening up fresh economic opportunities. A key driver of this trend has been mobile technology: in developing economies, 10% of adults now use a mobile-money account to save—up 5 percentage points from 2021.

In 2024, 40% of adults in developing countries reported saving in a financial account—marking a 16-point jump since 2021 and the fastest increase in over a decade. Stronger personal savings through banks and formal institutions not only benefit individuals but also strengthen national financial systems by unlocking more capital for investment, innovation, and growth. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the share of adults saving formally rose by 12 percentage points, reaching 35%.

“Financial inclusion can change lives and reshape economies,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “Digital finance is the bridge to realizing this promise, but it requires essential building blocks. At the World Bank Group, we’re helping countries put those in place: from enabling secure digital IDs to designing digital cash-transfer programs, modernizing payment systems, and removing regulatory barriers—so that people and businesses gain the financing they need to innovate and create jobs.”

Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, a partner in the Global Findex, added: “More people now have the tools to invest in their futures and build resilience, including women and those who were previously excluded. This is real progress. The case for investing in inclusive financial systems, digital infrastructure, and connectivity is stronger than ever—it’s a proven path to expanding opportunity for all.”

The Global Findex remains the leading global database on access to financial services, covering payments, saving, and borrowing. It marks a historic milestone: nearly 80% of adults worldwide now own a financial account—up from 50% in 2011. Still, 1.3 billion adults remain excluded. Mobile technology could help close this gap, as about 900 million of these unbanked adults own a mobile phone, including 530 million with smartphones.

Strengthening systems that support instant transfers—like India’s UPI or Brazil’s PIX—alongside stronger consumer protections and more secure mobile platforms could accelerate adoption and trust.

The report also shows progress on closing the gender gap: worldwide, 77% of women now have an account compared to 81% of men. In low- and middle-income economies, women’s account ownership has nearly doubled in just over a decade—from 37% in 2011 to 73% in 2024.

For the first time, the report tracks mobile ownership and internet use. Globally, 86% of adults own a mobile phone, including 68% with smartphones, according to the Global Findex Digital Connectivity Tracker 2025. But risks remain: of the 4 billion adults in developing economies who own a phone, only about half protect it with a password.

Digital transactions are also on the rise. In 2024, 42% of adults in low- and middle-income countries paid merchants digitally—whether in-store or online—up from 35% in 2021. Government payments and wages are increasingly being delivered directly into accounts, helping reduce leakage and ensuring funds reach the intended recipients.

Regional Highlights:

• East Asia & Pacific: Leads the world in connectivity and financial services use, with 86% smartphone ownership and 83% account ownership.

• Europe & Central Asia: Tops developing regions in internet and social media use; mobile ownership exceeds 94%.

• Latin America & Caribbean: Around 70% of adults have an account, and over half use it digitally via cards or phones.

• Middle East & North Africa: Account ownership rose to 53%, up from 45% in 2021. Formal saving increased from 11% in 2021 to 17% in 2024.

• South Asia: Nearly 80% of adults have an account, driven by India, where 90% of both men and women hold an account and 65% own a mobile phone.

• Sub-Saharan Africa: Account ownership climbed to 58%, up from 49% in 2021. The region leads the world in mobile money adoption.