Formal & Mobile Money Borrowing Statistics in Afghanistan (2026)
According to World Bank Global Findex data, 2% of adults in Afghanistan borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account in 2021. Down from 3.8% in 2017 to 2% in 2021 (−1.8 percentage points). Afghanistan ranks #16 of 18 economies in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan on this measure, and #140 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 2% (2021)
- Formal & Mobile Money Borrowing in Afghanistan as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- −1.8 pp (2021)
- Down from 3.8% in 2017 to 2% in 2021 (−1.8 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 4.5% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 4.5% in 2014 to 2% in 2021.
- Peak value (2014)
- 4.5% (2014)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2021 value is 2%.
- Rank in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- #16 of 18 (2021)
- Afghanistan ranks 16 of 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #140 of 142 (2021)
- Afghanistan ranks 140 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan average
- 16.1% (2021)
- Afghanistan (2%) is below the average of 16.1% across the 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data.
- Borrowed from a formal bank or similar financial institution (% age 15+) (2021)
- 2% (2021)
- Related indicator from World Bank Global Findex.
- Internet use in Afghanistan (2024)
- 16.1% (2024)
- 16.1% of the population in Afghanistan used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 42.6 million (2024)
- Afghanistan had a population of 42.6 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2% | −1.8 pp |
| 2017 | 3.8% | −0.7 pp |
| 2014 | 4.5% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Afghanistan borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account?
2% of adults in Afghanistan borrowed from a formal financial institution or using a mobile money account in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
When did formal & mobile money borrowing in Afghanistan peak?
The highest value in the available series was 4.5% in 2014; the latest (2021) value is 2%.
How recent is the formal & mobile money borrowing data for Afghanistan?
The most recent observation is from 2021. World Bank Global Findex data is reported with a lag, so 2021 is the latest available year for Afghanistan.
Where does the formal & mobile money borrowing data for Afghanistan come from?
The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fin22a.22a1.22g.d). The latest observation for Afghanistan is from 2021; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a.22a1.22g.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .