Do Socio-economic Factors in the BRICS Explain Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion?

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the determinants of the gender gap in financial inclusion in the BRICS countries. Using the World Bank’s 2017 Global Financial Inclusion Index Database, the study examines the underlying causes of gender differences in financial services. Using the Fairlie (1999) decomposition method, the study finds a significant portion of the disparity among genders in financial inclusion. The lower-income quintiles contribute positively to the gender gap when compared to upper-income quintiles. A considerable proportion of disparities is attributed to secondary education. However, tertiary education acts to reduce the gap. JEL Codes: C250, G21, J16, 0530