Economic inclusion of all social groups is important to help the world find answers to multiple challenges – including climate change, demographics and future implementation of artificial intelligence. Women’s financial inclusion is both a key component of this and illustrates the likely problems other groups will face.
Our CIO Special, "Why women’s financial inclusion matters", explores why the empowerment of women in the labour force is important in ways that go beyond the critical matter of social justice. The most obvious impact of higher rates of female financial inclusion is through increasing the size of the overall labour force – which should increase output.
It can also increase economic output in other ways, for example through boosting workforce efficiency and potential. Better financial inclusion should have a positive impact on investment via economic growth and other metrics such as consumption.
Key takeaways:
- Female financial inclusion and gender equality are “macrocritical” to boosting economic activity.
- Inclusion is essential for labour market access and thus female financial independence.
- Lack of financial inclusion will pose risks to investment directly and indirectly.
