Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL SERVICES MARKETING, cilt.31, sa.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
This study investigates global disparities in financial literacy and the evolving role of digital finance in shaping financial inclusion. Using data from the World Bank's Global Findex Database for 2017 and 2021, the analysis examines account ownership, credit card usage, formal borrowing, savings, and digital payment adoption across countries, income groups, and regions. A cross-sectional and temporal comparison was conducted to identify trends in financial literacy proxies and to explore their interrelations through correlation analysis. The results reveal substantial progress in financial access driven by fintech-enabled digital payment expansion; however, gaps remain in formal savings and responsible credit use, particularly among low-income and developing economies. For instance, account ownership reached 85% in high-income countries compared to only 45% in low-income economies, highlighting persistent structural disparities in financial access. The findings also indicate that account ownership and digital payment usage are strongly correlated, suggesting that digital finance serves as both an enabler and a divider of financial literacy. These results underscore the importance of targeted digital financial education, responsible borrowing initiatives, and inclusive regulatory frameworks to promote equitable financial participation and reduce literacy disparities worldwide.