Financial Literacy Level of Individuals and Its Relationships to Demographic Variables

Abstract

Families act in an environment of financing system which includes the pressure of the economic powers. Under these economic conditions, standards of living of individuals who fail to take optimal financial decisions and to exhibit due financial behaviors undergo some change. Individuals’ self-consciousness on financial issues will not only prepare them for prospective hard economic conditions that may emerge in the future but also supports the development of the country on strong basis. In this perspective, the awareness of financial literacy will help to use the limited sources more affectively. Recently in this economic pressure financial literacy has become an increasingly important topic. The main purpose of this study is examining individual’s financial literacy level and determining the relationship between demographic variables and financial literacy. Participants in the study consist of individual who are employees in iron and steel industry and dwelling in Karabuk, Turkey. A total of 304 employees are participated in the study on a voluntary basis. Data were collected through a demographic information form, Financial Literacy Index developed by Van Rooji et al. (2011). Financial Literacy Index includes two sections: basic financial literacy (5 items) and advantage financial literacy (11 items). Results indicated that only 8.9% of the participants have correctly answered the five basic financial literacy items. The proportion of the correct answered in advantage financial literacy section (11 items) was too low (0.3%). The statistical analyses displayed that from demographic variables only education and monthly income was important determinant, both of basic and advantage financial literacy (p<0.05). The results of this research have significant implications for individuals, policymakers and educators in their search of strategies for improving individuals’ financial literacy level.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2017.v8n3p19