Quantitative insights into the impact of financial inclusion on economic growth: an econometric evaluation of Arab countries (2011-2022)

This study aims to analyze the influence of financial inclusion on economic growth in Arab countries between 2011 and 2022, focusing on key indicators such as bank account ownership, access to financial services, and borrowing trends. The study highlights the main role of financial inclusion in promoting economic stability and supporting underserved communities across the region. Using Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) within a fixed effects framework, the research addresses econometric challenges, including heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation, to accurately capture relationships within the data. Cluster analysis further categorizes countries based on financial inclusion performance, identifying leaders like the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, with Iraq ranking lower. Findings reveal a statistically significant positive impact of access to bank accounts on economic growth, affirming the role of financial inclusion in driving economic stability. While access to financial services strongly correlates with growth, other indicators, such as borrowing levels, show weaker or insignificant effects, suggesting that broader financial access alone may not fully drive economic growth without supportive policies.