Introduction

Financial inclusion means that individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services – transactions, payment, savings, credit and insurance – that meet their needs and are delivered in a responsible and sustainable way¹.

By expanding access to appropriate financial services for low-income individuals, households, and small businesses, financial inclusion plays a crucial microeconomic role, empowering people to achieve their goals and improve their economic stability.

Objectives

Among the objectives of the surveys are to:

• Understand Brunei Darussalam's position on the development of financial inclusion;
• Identify barriers, develop appropriate policies, and monitor their impact; and
• Submit findings to regional and international organisations for reporting purposes.

Surveys

BDCB conducts two types of surveys to measure financial inclusion in Brunei Darussalam. They are as follows:

1. Demand-Side Survey

   This is a nationwide survey that will be conducted every three years to gather insights into consumer needs, behaviour and preferences regarding financial products. It will target a sample size of the population through interviews with households and individuals.

   The survey will explore factors that influence financial behaviour, including income levels, education, and awareness of financial products.

2. Supply-Side Survey

   This annual survey assesses the availability and accessibility of financial services offered by licensed financial institutions in Brunei Darussalam.

   All licensed financial institutions that offer retail products are required to submit their data according to the following requirements:

   Data Submission Frequency	Annually
   Data Reporting Period	Active individual accounts as of 30 June of the current year
   Data Submission Deadline	No later than 31 July of the current year

Relevant Documents

• Financial Inclusion Supply-Side Survey Data Reporting Guidelines
• Financial Inclusion Supply-Side Survey Data Reporting Template
• Data Reporting Technical Guide
• Frequently-Asked Questions