Argentina's Central Bank Policies Drive Financial Inclusion Amid Economic Volatility
Argentina has made significant strides in financial inclusion, with account ownership growing over 100% between 2011 and 2021, according to the World Bank's Global Findex database. The gender gap in account ownership has been reversed, favoring women by 4 percentage points as of 2021. This progress is largely attributed to the policies of Argentina's central bank and support from partners like the World Bank, which contributed to the 2020-2023 National Financial Inclusion Strategy. The country's fintech sector has emerged as a crucial player, providing alternative financial tools such as digital wallets and prepaid accounts to underserved populations, particularly younger users and informal workers. The fintech market in Argentina is projected to grow significantly, driven by smartphone penetration, internet access, and demand for digital payments.