Skopje, March 10, 2025   

“Gender inequality is one of the global issues that requires to be constantly discussed and actions taken. According to World Bank research, although there has been some progress in the last decade, the gender gap in account ownership in developing economies remains significant,” the Governor of the National Bank, Anita Angelovska Bezhoska said in an interview for the web portal “Pari”. In 2021, the difference in payment account ownership between men and women at the global level decreased to 6 percentage points, but women are still more likely to have inactive accounts and have less access to financial services. The situation in our country is similar. Although there are certain improvements, the gender gap in access to finance still exists. According to the latest data, in 2021, 79.9% of women and 90.6% of men in North Macedonia had a payment account. This gender gap of 10.7 percentage points is significantly higher than the average in Europe and Central Asia, where it is 3.2 percentage points. 

"These data are not just statistics – they are a clear indicator that further measures are needed to improve women's financial inclusion. Access to finance is of great importance for their economic independence, better management of personal and family finances, as well as for creating a more secure future," the Governor of the National Bank, Anita Angelovska Bezhoska said.

Access to financial services creates opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment and active participation in the economy. Availability of banking services, credits and savings contributes towards economic disparities reduction and ensuring better living conditions for women and their communities. Gender equality in the financial sector also brings benefits to both women and society as a whole, by stimulating economic growth and progress.

“In order to overcome this challenge, changes in corporate policies are inevitable, needing also greater commitment to financial education and greater representation of women in leadership roles. Women are increasingly conquering the financial world, but true equality requires a systematic approach to deal with the obstacles that have kept them on the margins for many years,” Governor Angelovska Bezhoska emphasized.

The National Bank will continue to advocate for policies that will contribute to the advancement of women’s financial inclusion, as part of broader efforts to create sustainable and inclusive economic development.