Bangladesh has high prevalence of mobile money account use: Survey | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 25, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
Bangladesh has high prevalence of mobile money account use: Survey

Economy

Mohammad Ali
02 April, 2022, 12:30 pm
Last modified: 03 April, 2022, 01:27 pm

Related News

  • Mobile banking scam, laundering network busted in Faridpur, 5 held
  • How mobile wallets are driving the rise of digital nano loans
  • MFS transaction limit refixed: Daily maximum cash in Tk50,000, cash out Tk30,000
  • MFS market flourishes, transactions surge by Tk3.84 lakh crore in 2024
  • Ease of use, essential services boost MFS transactions by Tk3.84 lakh crore YoY

Bangladesh has high prevalence of mobile money account use: Survey

Mohammad Ali
02 April, 2022, 12:30 pm
Last modified: 03 April, 2022, 01:27 pm
Bangladesh has high prevalence of mobile money account use: Survey

Bangladesh has a high prevalence of mobile money account use, according to a recent survey report published by the GSM Association, which represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide. 

In 2021, 30 of % Bangladeshi adults aged 15 and above used mobile money accounts for saving, 15% to pay insurance premiums and 14% to get a loan. 

When compared with pre-pandemic times, 32% adults more frequently used mobile money accounts for savings and 22% with no change in frequency. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

When it comes to getting a loan, it was 35% more frequent than what was before Covid-19, while the use of mobile money accounts was 38% more in paying insurance premiums. 

Since 2012, the GSMA Mobile Money programme has collected and analysed data from mobile money services worldwide.

GSMA has developed the Mobile Money Prevalence Index (MMPI) to provide additional insights on the state of mobile money for the mobile money and tech industries, academia and international organisations, while protecting industry data.

On this index, Bangladesh's overall score was between 0.60 and 0.79 for prevalence of mobile money which was categorised 'High'.

On this scale, South Asian country India scored less than 0.19 which was categorised 'very low' with Egypt and Pakistan in the medium category, scoring between 0.40 and 0.59.

African countries Senegal and Kenya were placed on the 'very high' category, with score more than 0.80 on the MMPI.

Financial inclusion for women

Mobile money has been a driving force for financial inclusion for the world's most vulnerable, particularly women. 

In Bangladesh, for instance, women's account ownership nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021 from 11% to 20%, whereas the increase for men was from 26% to 41%.

But in 2021, nationally 41% of adult males had mobile money account ownerships, while it was 20% for females. The gender gap is 52%.

Gender gap between rural male and women for mobile money account ownership is 54%.

With the gender gap in mobile money account ownership ranging from 7% in Kenya to 71% in Pakistan – there remain some barriers to vulnerable people benefitting from mobile money.

Across all eight survey countries, Bangladeshi women are more likely to receive money rather than sending it, said the report. 

Mobile ownership 

The report said, "Owning a mobile phone is an important prerequisite to mobile money use, but there is a persistent gender gap in mobile ownership. Women across low- and medium- income countries are 7% less likely than men to own a mobile phone.

"Overall, 143 million fewer women own a mobile phone than men. Additional barriers to mobile money access include a lack of awareness of mobile money and a deficit in perceived relevance, knowledge and skills."

In Bangladesh, 84% of men and 65% of women own mobile phones. 

The largest gender gaps in mobile money account ownership are in the South Asian survey countries, as observed in Pakistan (71%), India (68%) and Bangladesh (52%).

Mobile money has grown 10 times in 10 years

Mobile money hit a new milestone last year as the value of transactions processed globally surpassed $1 trillion for the first time. 

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on most economic sectors that require physical interaction, the number of mobile money agents has continued to rise. 

In 2021, the number of registered accounts reached 1.35 billion globally, up 18% since last year and 10 times more than there were in 2012 (134 million)

Also, the number of active agents multiplied more than 10 times, from 534,000 to 5.6 million during the same time. 

According to GSMA, which has released 10 consecutive annual reports, there were 316 mobile money services in 98 countries last year, compared to 169 in 71 countries in 2012.

Infograph / Top News

MFS / Mobile Financial Services (MFS) / Mobile Financial Service (MFS) / GSMA / Mobile Money Prevalence Index (MMPI) / Mobile Banking in Bangladesh / mobile banking

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • The supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League locked in a clash with police following attacks on NCP convoy this afternoon (16 July). Photo: Collected
    5 killed in political clash in Gopalganj: ASK demands independent investigation
  • On 21 July, a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F-7 BGI training fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, killing at least 31. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
    Milestone tragedy: Death toll rises to 32 as another child dies
  • File photo of a new NBR office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Photo: UNB
    Clear consignments in a day, customs officials directed

MOST VIEWED

  •  ABM Khairul Haque. File Photo: Collected
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • File photo of Bangladesh Bank. Photo: TBS
    Governor Mansur orders withdrawal of BB dress code after directive draws criticism
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • Representational image. File photo: TBS
    Govt okays proposed tariff structure for Chattogram Port, rates to rise by up to 440%
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July
  • Mehreen Ahmed speaking to media on 11 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Court disposes of Dhaka girl's case against parents seeking 'protection from abuse'

Related News

  • Mobile banking scam, laundering network busted in Faridpur, 5 held
  • How mobile wallets are driving the rise of digital nano loans
  • MFS transaction limit refixed: Daily maximum cash in Tk50,000, cash out Tk30,000
  • MFS market flourishes, transactions surge by Tk3.84 lakh crore in 2024
  • Ease of use, essential services boost MFS transactions by Tk3.84 lakh crore YoY

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare by 2055

17h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Can America beat China in AI intelligence?

Can America beat China in AI intelligence?

12m | Videos
All Previous Records Broken in Dinajpur, Rice Prices Are Rising

All Previous Records Broken in Dinajpur, Rice Prices Are Rising

2h | TBS Stories
There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

15h | TBS Today
Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

15h | TBS News Updates
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net