The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced a historic milestone in the nation’s journey toward gender-inclusive economic growth, with women’s financial inclusion reaching a record 52% of the adult female population. This remarkable achievement, revealed by the SBP Governor at a national conference on financial inclusion, reflects the success of targeted policies, digital innovation, and collaborative efforts between the central bank, government, financial institutions, and development partners to economically empower women across the country.
The SBP Governor credited the surge to the rapid expansion of branchless banking, mobile wallets, women-focused banking products, and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), which prioritized gender as a cross-cutting theme. Initiatives such as simplified account opening processes, digital financial literacy programs, and women-led microfinance schemes have played a crucial role in bridging the gender gap in access to formal financial services, enabling greater participation of women in savings, credit, insurance, and digital payments.
This upward trend is not only a win for gender equality but also a significant boost to Pakistan’s overall economic resilience, as financially included women contribute more effectively to household welfare, entrepreneurship, and national productivity. The SBP reiterated its commitment to reaching universal financial inclusion and ensuring that women continue to benefit from safe, affordable, and accessible financial tools.
“Reaching 52% women’s financial inclusion is a transformative achievement for Pakistan’s economy and society. It demonstrates what is possible when we align regulation, technology, and partnerships toward a common goal of empowerment. We will continue to innovate and collaborate to ensure every woman in Pakistan can access the financial services she needs to thrive,” stated the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan.
Moving forward, the SBP plans to deepen inclusion in rural and marginalized regions, promote women-led SMEs, and leverage fintech solutions to sustain and accelerate this positive trajectory.
