Formal Borrowing Statistics in Italy (2026)
As of the 2021 data, 55% of adults in Italy borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Up from 45.7% in 2017 to 55% in 2021 (+9.3 percentage points). Italy ranks #5 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #13 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2021)
- 55% (2021)
- Formal Borrowing in Italy as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2017
- +9.3 pp (2021)
- Up from 45.7% in 2017 to 55% in 2021 (+9.3 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2014)
- 39.3% (2014)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 39.3% in 2014 to 55% in 2021.
- Record high (2021)
- 55% (2021)
- The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Italy.
- Rank in Europe & Central Asia
- #5 of 46 (2021)
- Italy ranks 5 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #13 of 142 (2021)
- Italy ranks 13 of 142 countries with data globally.
- Europe & Central Asia average
- 33.3% (2021)
- Italy (55%) is above the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
- Among women (2021)
- 55.9% (2021)
- Value for women in Italy, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2021)
- 54.2% (2021)
- Value for men in Italy, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- +1.8 pp (2021)
- In 2021, the figure was 55.9% for women and 54.2% for men — 1.8 percentage points higher among women.
- Among the poorest 40% (2021)
- 51.9% (2021)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Italy in 2021.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −3.1 pp (2021)
- The poorest 40% (51.9%) are 3.1 percentage points below the national figure (55%).
- Internet use in Italy (2024)
- 89.2% (2024)
- 89.2% of the population in Italy used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 59 million (2024)
- Italy had a population of 59 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2014–2021
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55% | +9.3 pp |
| 2017 | 45.7% | +6.3 pp |
| 2014 | 39.3% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Italy borrowed from a formal financial institution?
55% of adults in Italy borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has formal borrowing in Italy changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 39.3% in 2014 to 55% in 2021.
How does Italy compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?
Italy ranks 5 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 55% versus a regional average of 33.3% (latest values per country).
Where does Italy rank globally on formal borrowing?
Italy ranks 13 of 142 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
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 .