Structural Sources of Gendered Financial Inclusion: A Comparison of Pakistan and Finland Examining how institutional, digital, and socioeconomic factors influence financial access across gender

Abstract

This thesis analyses the determinants of financial inclusion in Pakistan by means of a gender disaggregated method and contrasts findings with the institutional and digital maturity of Finland’s financial system, with particular attention to the transition from physical to digital banking. Despite global progress in financial access, significant gender disparities persist, particularly in developing economies where institutional and social constraints continue to restrict women’s participation in formal finance.

The empirical findings indicate pronounced gender-based differences in the factors influencing financial inclusion. In Women’s it is primarily driven by institutional access, internet usage, digital infrastructure, gender equality conditions, and female employment. In contrast, men’s financial participation is driven by the expansion of physical institutional branches, household income effects associated with female employment, improvements in gender equality, and the use of mobile and digital payment services. These results reveal that how the shift from physical to digital banking affects men and women differently, reflecting asymmetric structural conditions in Pakistan.

A comparative assessment of Finland illustrates how strong institutions, digital readiness, and comprehensive financial literacy strategies enable a successful transition toward digital banking without reducing financial inclusion. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations for Pakistan that emphasize balancing digital and physical access, simplifying onboarding procedures, strengthening financial literacy, and embedding gender responsive regulatory frameworks.