Decomposing the Gender Gap in Financial Inclusion: An Oaxaca–Blinder Analysis for Peru, 2024

Julio Cesar Quispe-Mamani (), Santotomas Licimaco Aguilar-Pinto, Duverly Joao Incacutipa-Limachi, Marleny Quispe-Layme, Giovana Araseli Flores-Turpo, Rolando Cáceres-Quenta, Maria Isabel Alegre-Larico, Adderly Mamani-Flores, Wily Leopoldo Velásquez-Velásquez, Charles Arturo Rosado-Chávez and Marcial Guevara-Mamani
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Julio Cesar Quispe-Mamani: Faculty of Economic Engineering, National University of Altiplano, Floral Avenue 1153, Puno 21001, Peru
Santotomas Licimaco Aguilar-Pinto: Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Andean University Nestor Caceres Velasquez, Taparachi Urbanization Km 4.5 Exit to Puno, Juliaca 21103, Peru
Duverly Joao Incacutipa-Limachi: Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of the Altiplano, Floral Avenue 1153, Puno 21001, Peru
Marleny Quispe-Layme: Faculty of Education, Amazon National University of Madre of Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
Giovana Araseli Flores-Turpo: Faculty of Accounting and Administrative Sciences, National University of the Altiplano, Av. Floral 1153, Puno 21001, Peru
Rolando Cáceres-Quenta: Faculty of Educational Sciences, National University of Altiplano, Floral Avenue 1153, Puno 21001, Peru
Maria Isabel Alegre-Larico: Professional School of Civil Engineering, National University of Moquegua, Pacocha, Moquegua 18001, Peru
Adderly Mamani-Flores: Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of the Altiplano, Floral Avenue 1153, Puno 21001, Peru
Wily Leopoldo Velásquez-Velásquez: Professional School of Public Management and Social Development, National University of Juliaca, Nueva Zelandia Street 631, Juliaca 21103, Peru
Charles Arturo Rosado-Chávez: Professional School of Public Management and Social Development, National University of Moquegua, Pacocha, Moquegua 21103, Peru
Marcial Guevara-Mamani: Faculty of Economic Engineering, National University of Altiplano, Floral Avenue 1153, Puno 21001, Peru

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: The objective of this study was to quantify and decompose the gender gap in access to and use of financial services in Peru for the year 2024, distinguishing between the portion explained by observable characteristics and the unexplained component, which is associated with discrimination or differential returns. The methodology employed a quantitative analysis based on the National Household Survey (ENAHO), using weighted and unweighted Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition models on a representative sample of 14,240 household members. The explanatory variables included age, monthly household income, years of education, area of residence, marital status, employment status, and participation in social programs. The findings revealed a significant gender gap in financial inclusion of −2.16 percentage points, with the majority attributable to the unexplained component (−0.0724), indicating structural inequalities in the returns men and women receive from their characteristics. Variables such as years of education, monthly household income, and age had significant effects but yielded lower benefits for women. It is concluded that closing the gender gap in financial inclusion in Peru requires more than improving women’s individual characteristics; it also entails addressing differential returns and promoting gender-focused public policies that ensure equitable conditions in accessing the formal financial system.

Keywords: financial access; gender gap; structural discrimination; Oaxaca–Blinder; public policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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