Computation of Financial Inclusion Composite Index in Iran

Financial inclusion means that individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs in a reliable and sustainable way. Reducing poverty and unemployment rate along with increasing economic growth are considered to be the most important advantages of financial inclusion. Given the importance of this subject, the concept of financial inclusion has been explained; moreover, a composite index has been developed to measure financial inclusion in this article. Using designed financial inclusion composite index (FICI), the financial inclusion measures have been calculated in each province of Iran and theses provinces have been ranked. The results show that Tehran, Semnan and Yazd provinces have the highest level of financial inclusion and Systan Balouchestan, Khouzestan and Western Azarbayejan provinces have the lowest level of financial inclusion. Finally, the parameters, which have lowered the rank of these provinces in reaching suitable financial inclusion index, have been studied.