Formal Borrowing Statistics in Spain (2026)

51.9% of adults in Spain borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, World Bank Global Findex data show. Up from 50.2% in 2017 to 51.9% in 2021 (+1.7 percentage points). Spain ranks #11 of 46 economies in Europe & Central Asia on this measure, and #19 of 142 globally.

Key Statistics

Latest value (2021): 51.9% (2021); Formal Borrowing in Spain as of 2021, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
Change since 2017: +1.7 pp (2021); Up from 50.2% in 2017 to 51.9% in 2021 (+1.7 percentage points).
Earliest value in this dataset (2014): 50.6% (2014); Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 50.6% in 2014 to 51.9% in 2021.
Record high (2021): 51.9% (2021); The 2021 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Spain.
Rank in Europe & Central Asia: #11 of 46 (2021); Spain ranks 11 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank: #19 of 142 (2021); Spain ranks 19 of 142 countries with data globally.
Europe & Central Asia average: 33.3% (2021); Spain (51.9%) is above the average of 33.3% across the 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data.
Among women (2021): 48.7% (2021); Value for women in Spain, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Among men (2021): 55.1% (2021); Value for men in Spain, same 2021 World Bank Global Findex data.
Gender gap (women minus men): −6.3 pp (2021); In 2021, the figure was 48.7% for women and 55.1% for men — 6.3 percentage points lower among women.
Among the poorest 40% (2021): 48.8% (2021); Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Spain in 2021.
Poorest-40% gap vs national: −3.1 pp (2021); The poorest 40% (48.8%) are 3.1 percentage points below the national figure (51.9%).
Internet use in Spain (2024): 95.8% (2024); 95.8% of the population in Spain used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024): 48.8 million (2024); Spain had a population of 48.8 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.

Trend, 2014–2021

Formal Borrowing in Spain by year (% of adults (age 15+))
Year	% of adults (age 15+)	Change
2021	51.9%	+1.7 pp
2017	50.2%	−0.5 pp
2014	50.6%	—

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

Frequently asked questions

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

51.9% of adults in Spain borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2021, according to World Bank Global Findex data.

How recent is the formal borrowing data for Spain?

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 Spain.

Where does the formal borrowing data for Spain come from?

The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fin22a). The latest observation for Spain is from 2021; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.

How has formal borrowing in Spain changed over time?

World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 50.6% in 2014 to 51.9% in 2021.

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

Spain ranks 11 of 46 countries in Europe & Central Asia with data, with 51.9% versus a regional average of 33.3% (latest values per country).

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.