Financial Literacy and Economic Outcomes: Evidence and Policy Implications

Financial Literacy and Economic Outcomes: Evidence and Policy Implications.

This paper reviews what we have learned over the past decade about financial literacy and its relationship to financial decision-making around the world. Using three questions, we have surveyed people in several countries to determine whether they have the fundamental knowledge of economics and finance needed to function as effective decision-makers. We find that levels of financial literacy ar...

Financial Literacy, Financial Education and Economic Outcomes.

In this article we review the literature on financial literacy, financial education, and consumer financial outcomes. We consider how financial literacy is measured in the current literature, and examine how well the existing literature addresses whether financial education improves financial literacy or personal financial outcomes. We discuss the extent to which a competitive market provides i...

The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence.

This paper undertakes an assessment of a rapidly growing body of economic research on financial literacy. We start with an overview of theoretical research which casts financial knowledge as a form of investment in human capital. Endogenizing financial knowledge has important implications for welfare as well as policies intended to enhance levels of financial knowledge in the larger population....

Education Levels and Mortgage Application Outcomes: Evidence of Financial Literacy

This paper uses 2005 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data aggregated by census tract to measure the relationship between census tract-level college completion rates and the rates at which first lien refinance mortgage applicants submit incomplete loan applications, withdraw loan applications before they are reviewed, and reject lender approved loan offers. This paper also explores the relationship...

The Economic Benefits of Literacy: Evidence and Implications for Public Policy