Dynamics of Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth in Shaping Healthcare Access: Empirical Insights from Developing South Asian Economies

  • Wajid Ali Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Ammar Ahmed Siddiqui Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan
Keywords: Mortality, Health Progress, Microeconomic Financial Improvement, Tuberculosis, Financial Inclusion

Abstract

Purpose: The study puts forth the comparison and effects of numerous variables and indicators of economic growth, financial inclusion on healthcare access using panel and time series data across 7 developing economies in South Asia.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was correlational and empirical quantitative approach was used, we tested the numerical data as empirical panel, the other methods and tests used were correlation, unit root, regression, fixed and random effects, model fit, Hausman test and correlation matrix and for comparative analysis with time series data, unit root and OLS regression were used.

Findings: The findings that are also aligned with previous research demonstrates financial inclusion heavily impacts the healthcare access and mortality in specifics; GDP has a weak and inconsistent effect on healthcare access which suggests that enhance financial inclusion and focus on microlevel financial betterment helps the cause for better healthcare.

Implications/Originality/Value: The outcome of this study yields noticing implications for policymakers and developmental organizations that they can use to expand the healthcare network and access using improved financial inclusion policies merged with healthcare infrastructure for greater results in national healthcare across the developing South Asian countries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Analytics Summary

Author Biographies

Wajid Ali, Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan

Student, Department of Business Administration, Iqra University, Karachi Pakistan

Ammar Ahmed Siddiqui, Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan

Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration, Iqra University, Karachi Pakistan

References

Abid, K., Bari, Y. A., Younas, M., Javaid, S. T., & Imran, A. (2020). Progress of COVID-19 epidemic in Pakistan. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 32(4), 154–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539520927259 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539520927259

Adeosun, O. T., Gbadamosi, I. I., & Odior, E. S. (2022). Macro-economic variables and mortality rate nexus: Focus on Nigeria. Review of Economics and Political Science, 7(3), 194–203. https://doi.org/10.1108/REPS-06-2021-0064 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/REPS-06-2021-0064

Al-Hanawi, M. K., & Al Rahahleh, N. (2024). Mitigating role of financial inclusion on the perceived difficulties, concerns, and borrowing for medical expenses in Saudi Arabia. Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, 22(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12962-023-00506-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12962-023-00506-z

Ayayi, A. G., & Dout, H. (2024). The dynamics of the financial inclusion index for developing countries: Lessons learned. Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 16(3), 383–403. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFEP-01-2023-0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JFEP-01-2023-0029

Bojuwon, M., Olaleye, B. R., & Ojebode, A. A. (2023). Financial inclusion and financial condition: The mediating effect of financial self-efficacy and financial literacy. Vision. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629231166200 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629231166200

Dewasiri, N. J., Kumara, P. K. A., Walakumbura, S. H. M. L., Rathnasiri, M. S. H., & Jayarathne, P. G. S. A. (2024). Impact of mobile money adoption on financial inclusion in Sri Lanka: Mediating impact of hedonism. Journal of Money and Business. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMB-09-2023-0049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMB-09-2023-0049

Garney, W. R., Flores, S. A., Garcia, K. M., Panjwani, S., & Wilson, K. L. (2024). Adolescent healthcare access: A qualitative study of provider perspectives. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241234586 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241234586

Griffiths, F., Watkins, J. A., Huxley, C., et al. (2020). Mobile consulting (mConsulting) and its potential for providing access to quality healthcare for populations living in low-resource settings of low- and middle-income countries. Digital Health, 6, Article 2055207620919594. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207620919594 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207620919594

Guru, B. K., & Yadav, I. S. (2019). Financial development and economic growth: Panel evidence from BRICS. Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, 24(47), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEFAS-12-2017-0125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEFAS-12-2017-0125

Hussain, S., Rehman, A. U., Ullah, S., Waheed, A., & Hassan, S. (2024). Financial inclusion and economic growth: Comparative panel evidence from developed and developing Asian countries. SAGE Open, 14. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241232585 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241232585

Ibne Afzal, M. N., Sadi, M. A. N., & Siddiqui, S. A. (2023). Financial inclusion using corporate social responsibility: A socio-economic demand–supply analysis. Asian Journal of Economics and Banking, 7(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEB-04-2022-0039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEB-04-2022-0039

Khalid, A., & Ali, S. (2020). COVID-19 and its challenges for the healthcare system in Pakistan. Asian Bioethics Review, 12(4), 551–564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-020-00139-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-020-00139-x

Khushboo, M., & Pradhan, K. C. (2024). Examining the determinants of financial inclusion in South Asian countries. The Indian Economic Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00194662241288042 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00194662241288042

Kurniawati, M. A. (2022). Analysis of the impact of information communication technology on economic growth: Empirical evidence from Asian countries. Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, 29(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-07-2020-0082 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-07-2020-0082

Mehmood, A., Ahmed, Z., Ghailan, K., Dohare, S., Varghese, J., & Azeez, F. K. (2023). Implementation of healthcare financing based on diagnosis-related group in three WHO regions: Western Pacific, South East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean. Journal of Health Management, 25(3), 404–413. https://doi.org/10.1177/09720634231168250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09720634231168250

Odame, C., Appiah, K. O., & Gyimah, P. (2024). The financial inclusion–economic growth nexus: What is new now? Journal of Money and Business, 4(2), 121–137. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMB-05-2023-0026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMB-05-2023-0026

Ozili, P. K. (2024). Impact of terrorism on financial inclusion: Evidence from the most terrorized countries in the world. Safer Communities, 23(4), 299–316. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-08-2023-0037 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-08-2023-0037

Pétrin, J., McColl, M. A., Donnelly, C., French, S., & Finlayson, M. (2021). Prioritizing the healthcare access concerns of Canadians with MS. Multiple Sclerosis Journal—Experimental, Translational and Clinical, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/20552173211029672 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552173211029672

Putra, A. A. K. A. D., & Oktora, S. I. (2024). The effect of financial inclusion and economic integration on green growth in ASEAN. Journal of Economics and Development, 26(3), 189–205. https://doi.org/10.1108/JED-09-2023-0169 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JED-09-2023-0169

Raza, M. S., Tang, J., Rubab, S., & Wen, X. (2019). Determining the nexus between financial inclusion and economic development in Pakistan. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 22(2), 195–209. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-12-2017-0068 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-12-2017-0068

Saeed, R., Amin, F., Talha, M., et al. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic prevalence and risk factors for depression among health care workers in South Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 33(8), 935–939. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211002324 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211002324

Sharma, J., Pavlova, M., & Groot, W. (2025). Challenges and opportunities for universal health coverage in South Asia: A scoping review. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 37(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395241296653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395241296653

Siddik, M. N. A. (2023). Does macroeconomic stability promote economic growth? Some econometric evidence from SAARC countries. Asian Journal of Economics and Banking, 7(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEB-05-2022-0052

Song, Y., Leone, D., Cicchiello, A. F., & Kazemikhasragh, A. (2021). Industrial dynamics and economic growth in healthcare context: Evidence from selected OECD countries. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 37(8), 1706–1716. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-09-2020-0439 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-11-2020-0513

Thresia, C. U., Srinivas, P. N., Mohindra, K. S., & Jagadeesan, C. K. (2020). The health of indigenous populations in South Asia: A critical review in a critical time. International Journal of Health Services, 52(1), 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731420946588 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0020731420946588

Xiao, W., & Tao, R. (2022). Financial inclusion and its impact on health: Empirical evidence from Asia. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 948964. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.948964 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.948964

Yadav, A., & Iqbal, B. A. (2021). Socio-economic scenario of South Asia: An overview of impacts of COVID-19. South Asian Survey, 28(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971523121994441 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0971523121994441

Published
2025-12-31
How to Cite
Ali, W., & Siddiqui, A. A. (2025). Dynamics of Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth in Shaping Healthcare Access: Empirical Insights from Developing South Asian Economies. Journal of Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies, 11(4), 569-584. https://doi.org/10.26710/jafee.v11i4.3555