PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded the largest ranking rise in financial inclusion of any market globally, climbing six places to 15th, according to the 2026 Global Financial Inclusion Index from Principal Financial Group and the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
According to the index, which ranks 42 markets based on the support provided by employers, the government, and the financial system, Malaysia’s overall financial inclusion score rose 5.0 points year over year to 58.2 , well above the global average of 52 .0 out of 100.
The improvement was driven by developments in Malaysia’s financial system. Malaysia rose six places to 13th for financial system support, with its score increasing 8.1 points to 59.5 versus a global average of 55.3 and a regional average for Southeast Asia of 45.6.
