Fireside chat: From financial inclusion to financial health

A fireside Chat with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, HM Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Moderated by Dr. Tilman Ehrbeck, Managing Partner, Flourish Ventures

Financial inclusion provides access to safe and affordable financial services, starting with basic accounts or digital wallets for transactions and secure storage. However, access alone is only the beginning—a foundational measure. Access to services from regulated institutions, indicated by a significant rise in account ownership (reaching 76% of adults worldwide in 2021, up from 51% in 2011), reflects notable progress.

Yet, over 15 years of financial inclusion work has shown that access to financial services does not automatically translate to improved financial lives. In many countries, financial inclusion is high, yet financial health remains a pressing challenge. Financial health means more than simply opening accounts; it’s about people’s ability to manage daily expenses, recover from financial setbacks, and plan for the future without risking poverty. Addressing financial health requires a people-centered design of financial products and services that enhance financial resilience across advanced and emerging markets alike.