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Financial literacy gaps across countries: the role of individual characteristics and institutions

Author

Listed:
  • Andrej Cupak

    (National Bank of Slovakia and LIS: Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg)

  • Pirmin Fessler

    (Oesterreichische Nationalbank)

  • Maria Silgoner

    (Oesterreichische Nationalbank)

  • Elisabeth Ulbrich

    (Oesterreichische Nationalbank)

Abstract
We examine recently compiled microdata from the OECD/INFE survey covering information on the financial literacy of adult individuals from twelve countries around the globe. We find large differences in financial literacy across countries and decompose them into those explainable by differences in individual characteristics and those that cannot be explained by such differences. We show that individual characteristics matter with regard to differences in average financial literacy, but do not fully explain the observed differences. We further relate the unexplained differences in our microeconometric analysis to institutional differences across countries. We find strong relationships between the differences in financial literacy not explained by individual characteristics and life expectancy, social contribution rate, PISA math scores, internet usage, and to a lesser degree by GDP per capita, the gross enrolment ratio and stock market capitalization. Our results suggest that there is room for harmonization of economic environments across countries regarding decreasing inequality in the population’s financial literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrej Cupak & Pirmin Fessler & Maria Silgoner & Elisabeth Ulbrich, 2018. "Financial literacy gaps across countries: the role of individual characteristics and institutions," Working and Discussion Papers WP 2/2018, Research Department, National Bank of Slovakia.
    • Handle: RePEc:svk:wpaper:1055
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole Jonker & Anneke Kosse, 2020. "The interplay of financial education, financial literacy, financial inclusion and financial, stability: Any lessons for the current Big Tech era?," Working Papers 692, DNB.
    2. Nicole Jonker & Anneke Kosse, 2022. "The interplay of financial education, financial inclusion and financial stability and the role of Big Tech," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 40(4), pages 612-635, October.
    3. Raquel Fonseca & Simon Lord, 2020. "Canadian Gender Gap in Financial Literacy: Confidence Matters," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 235(4), pages 153-182, December.
    4. Muhammad Hussain & Farzan Yahya & Muhammad Waqas, 2021. "Does strong governance stimulate the effect of economic freedom and financial literacy on financial inclusion? a cross-country evidence," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Andrej Cupak & Pirmin Fessler & Maria Antoinette Silgoner & Elisabeth Ulbrich, 2018. "Financial literacy in Austria: a survey of recent research results," Monetary Policy & the Economy, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue Q1/18, pages 14-26.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial literacy gaps; inequality; decomposition analysis; counterfactual methods; personal finance; survey data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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