Formal Borrowing Statistics in Bangladesh (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 12.7% of adults in Bangladesh borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Down from 14.2% in 2021 to 12.7% in 2024 (−1.5 percentage points). Bangladesh ranks #4 of 4 economies in South Asia on this measure, and #81 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 12.7% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Bangladesh as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −1.5 pp (2024)
- Down from 14.2% in 2021 to 12.7% in 2024 (−1.5 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 10% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 10% in 2014 to 12.7% in 2024.
- Peak value (2021)
- 14.2% (2021)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 12.7%.
- Rank in South Asia
- #4 of 4 (2024)
- Bangladesh ranks 4 of 4 countries in South Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #81 of 142 (2024)
- Bangladesh ranks 81 of 142 countries with data globally.
- South Asia average
- 15.4% (2024)
- Bangladesh (12.7%) is below the average of 15.4% across the 4 countries in South Asia with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 12.9% (2024)
- Value for women in Bangladesh, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 12.5% (2024)
- Value for men in Bangladesh, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- +0.4 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 12.9% for women and 12.5% for men — 0.4 percentage points higher among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 14.2% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Bangladesh in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- +1.4 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (14.2%) are 1.4 percentage points above the national figure (12.7%).
- Internet use in Bangladesh (2024)
- 53.4% (2024)
- 53.4% of the population in Bangladesh used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 173.6 million (2024)
- Bangladesh had a population of 173.6 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12.7% | −1.5 pp |
| 2021 | 14.2% | +5.0 pp |
| 2017 | 9.2% | −0.8 pp |
| 2014 | 10% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Bangladesh borrowed from a formal financial institution?
12.7% of adults in Bangladesh borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does Bangladesh compare with other countries in South Asia?
Bangladesh ranks 4 of 4 countries in South Asia with data, with 12.7% versus a regional average of 15.4% (latest values per country).
Where does Bangladesh rank globally on formal borrowing?
Bangladesh ranks 81 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in formal borrowing in Bangladesh?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 12.9% for women and 12.5% for men, a gap of 0.4 percentage points in favor of women.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, 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 .