What is the primary metric used to determine a population's level of financial inclusion?

The primary metric used to determine a population's level of financial inclusion is account-holding. This reflects whether individuals or households have access to a formal financial account, such as a bank account or mobile wallet. Account-holding is crucial because it represents a gateway to a range of financial services, including savings, credit, insurance, and payment services, which are essential for economic empowerment.

When a population has a high level of account-holding, it indicates that many individuals are engaged in the financial system, allowing them to participate more actively in the economy. This metric provides insight into the basic accessibility of financial tools that facilitate transactions, savings, and financial security. Moreover, account-holding can influence other areas, such as the capacity to receive payments, manage expenses, and build wealth over time, hence being a foundational aspect of financial inclusion.

In contrast, while access to credit facilities, employment rates, and income levels are important indicators of economic well-being and can influence financial inclusion, they do not directly measure whether individuals have access to financial services at the most fundamental level, which is where account-holding comes into play.