Formal Borrowing Statistics in Portugal (2026)

In 2021, 30.4% of adults in Portugal borrowed from a formal financial institution, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 28.9% in 2017 to 30.4% in 2021 (+1.6 percentage points). Portugal ranks #24 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #38 of 142 globally.

Key Statistics

Latest value (2021): 30.4% (2021); Formal Borrowing in Portugal as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
Change since 2017: +1.6 pp (2021); Up from 28.9% in 2017 to 30.4% in 2021 (+1.6 percentage points).
Earliest value in this dataset (2014): 25.9% (2014); Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 25.9% in 2014 to 30.4% in 2021.
Record high (2021): 30.4% (2021); The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Portugal.
Rank in Europe & Central Asia: #24 of 46 (2021); Portugal ranks 24 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank: #38 of 142 (2021); Portugal ranks 38 of 142 countries with data globally.
Europe & Central Asia average: 33.3% (2021); Portugal (30.4%) is below the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
Among women (2021): 23% (2021); Value for women in Portugal, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Among men (2021): 38.6% (2021); Value for men in Portugal, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Gender gap (women minus men): −15.6 pp (2021); In 2021, the figure was 23% for women and 38.6% for men — 15.6 percentage points lower among women.
Among the poorest 40% (2021): 24.6% (2021); Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Portugal in 2021.
Poorest-40% gap vs national: −5.9 pp (2021); The poorest 40% (24.6%) are 5.9 percentage points below the national figure (30.4%).
Internet use in Portugal (2024): 88.5% (2024); 88.5% of the population in Portugal used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024): 10.7 million (2024); Portugal had a population of 10.7 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.

Trend, 2014–2021

Formal Borrowing in Portugal by year (% of adults (age 15+))
Year	% of adults (age 15+)	Change
2021	30.4%	+1.6 pp
2017	28.9%	+3.0 pp
2014	25.9%	—

Fig. 1 — Formal Borrowing in Portugal, 2014–2021

Frequently asked questions

What share of adults in Portugal borrowed from a formal financial institution?

30.4% of adults in Portugal borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.

How does Portugal compare with other countries in Europe & Central Asia?

Portugal ranks 24 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 30.4% versus a regional average of 33.3% (latest values per country).

Where does Portugal rank globally on formal borrowing?

Portugal ranks 38 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 Portugal?

Yes — in 2021 the figure was 23% for women and 38.6% for men, a gap of 15.6 percentage points in favor of men.

How recent is the formal borrowing data for Portugal?

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 Portugal.

Source & methodology

Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator fin22a, retrieved 2026-06-10.

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 2026-06-10.