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Men and Women Savings Culture

By Kafilat Taiwo

March 28, 2024

+SenorRita Ponders 🤔

Men and Women Savings Culture

Nigerian men have more financial accounts than women. 

The World Bank Data shows that there is a significant gender gap when it comes to owning financial accounts in Nigeria.

A study says that Financial accounts provide a systematic way of organising and managing financial information, which helps in assessing the economic health, performance and position of an entity.

In Nigeria, 55.45% of Nigerian men have financial accounts compared to 34.96% of women.

But why do women hold back than men in owning formal bank accounts?

According to the IMF, women entrepreneurs often do not even attempt to apply for loans in the credit market due to factors like low financial literacy, risk aversion, and fear of failure.

Men Prefer Formal savings

While men own financial accounts, they tend to save more money in their bank accounts. They save their money in their bank accounts more than women. 

A study shows savings are generally made by putting aside cash in a savings account in a bank, and this amount can be used in emergencies or to attain a short-term goal. Saving money helps to build wealth and also have funds to face an economic crisis. 

The 2021 World Bank data shows that 57.36% of Nigerian men saved more money in their accounts than 53.64% of women. 

Men and Women Borrowing Culture

Nigerian men borrow more funds from formal financial institutions than women.

Men with financial accounts borrow more than women from financial institutions they have an account with. These financial institutions are banks and other licensed financial institutions approved by the government. 

For instance, one of the criteria for loan eligibility in financial institutions is that ‘’You must have an active account at least 6 months old with the bank’’ before being granted a loan. 

Women Prefer Borrowing the Saving Club

When women borrow money, they borrow from savings clubs more than men.

In a savings club, the holder makes regular contributions toward a predetermined goal. People with like financial needs come together under these clubs to achieve a targeted interest. 

These clubs often provide incentives to encourage customers to follow through with their intended contributions.