Iraq ranks last among Arab countries in terms of financial inclusion in 2025.
Iraq ranks last among Arab countries in terms of financial inclusion in 2025.
2025-08-30 03:13
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq ranked last in the Arab world in terms of financial inclusion in 2025, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
The committee stated in its report on sustainable development for financial inclusion in the Arab region for the current year, which Shafak News Agency reviewed, that the use of financial services in Arab countries remains far below the potential for access to them, and traditional outlets are still used more widely than digital platforms. Arab countries also record the lowest level of financial inclusion for women in the world, with the percentage of women who own a bank account not exceeding 29%.
He noted that only 14% of small and medium-sized financial institutions in Arab countries have a loan or line of credit, a percentage lower than the global average of 29%. This is attributed to high borrowing costs, difficulty accessing branches, particularly in rural areas, and a lack of familiarity with financial and digital affairs.
According to the report, Iraq ranked second to last in the Arab world in terms of financial inclusion, with its citizens achieving financial inclusion in terms of access to digital services and digital financial transactions and enabling services at a rate of 22%. The report indicated that Iraq is one of the countries exposed to instability or affected by conflict.
According to the committee, Bahrain ranked first in the Arab world in terms of financial inclusion for its citizens, with a score of 59%. Saudi Arabia came second with 57%, followed by the UAE with 52%, Kuwait with 52%, Oman with 41%, Qatar with 41%, Jordan with 39%, Morocco with 38%, and Tunisia with 38%.
She pointed out that Algeria had a financial inclusion rate of 35%, Egypt 35%, Palestine 33%, Lebanon 31%, Libya 26%, followed by Iraq, and finally Mauritania came in last place with a rate of 22%.
The report also noted that Syria, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros, and Yemen were not classified due to the lack of data for them.
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