Publication of the ‘Study on the Impact of Digital Financial Exclusion’

The “Study on the Prevalence of Digital Financial Exclusion” was published by the Austrian National Bank and presented at the “Open Forum: Digital Euro & Payments” on 8 July 2026.

This study provides a scientific basis for measures to promote digital financial inclusion. It not only quantified the overall prevalence of digital financial exclusion amongst the Austrian population aged 18 and over, but also specifically examined digital financial exclusion within sub-groups that are particularly at risk of exclusion.

The results show that, whilst digital financial exclusion in Austria affects a comparatively small proportion of the population, it is heavily concentrated among specific groups. Across all payment scenarios, 8% of the total sample are affected by digital financial exclusion, as they are unable to use digital financial services, or can only do so with personal assistance. The groups most severely affected by digital financial exclusion are homeless people (45 per cent), people with limited German language skills (36 per cent), refugees (22 per cent), people with disabilities (22 per cent) and older people aged over 80 (18 per cent).

Given the various causes of exclusion, it is necessary to tailor measures to promote digital financial inclusion to specific target groups. Involving those affected in the development process is key to this.

You can find further information on the study here on the National Bank’s website: Studie zur Betroffenheit von digitaler finanzieller Exklusion – Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB)

You can read the full report here: Studie zur Betroffenheit von digitaler finanzieller Exklusion