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National culture and financial literacy: international evidence

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  • Muzaffarjon Ahunov
  • Leo Van Hove

Abstract

We examine to what extent (aspects of) national culture can explain cross-country variations in financial literacy. Our results, for a sample of 92 countries, show that Hofstede’s dimensions of power distance and individualism explain, respectively, over 40 and 60 per cent – which is substantially more than national cognitive scores and standard economic variables. In particular, we find that financial literacy is lower in countries where power distance is high, and that the opposite is true for individualism. Uncertainty avoidance would seem be negatively related with financial literacy, but the evidence is not so strong. For masculinity, indulgence, and long-term orientation we find no significant impact. Overall, our results highlight the need for additional (interdisciplinary) theories that can improve our understanding of the determinants of financial literacy and better guide policies in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Muzaffarjon Ahunov & Leo Van Hove, 2020. "National culture and financial literacy: international evidence," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(21), pages 2261-2279, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:52:y:2020:i:21:p:2261-2279
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2019.1688241
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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. Muzaffarjon Ahunov & Leo Van Hove, 2020. "National culture and (dis)trust in banks: Cross‐country evidence," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 49(3), September.
    3. Ooi, Elizabeth, 2023. "Culture and confidence in financial knowledge testing," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    4. Kenneth De Beckker & Kristof De Witte & Geert Van Campenhout, 2020. "The role of national culture in financial literacy: Cross‐country evidence," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 912-930, September.
    5. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Chen, Mei-Ping & Xing, Wenwu, 2022. "Do national cultures matter for tourism development? Some international evidence," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 666-686.
    6. Yanna He & Muzaffarjon Ahunov, 2022. "Financial Literacy: The Case of China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 30(5), pages 75-101, September.
    7. Szilárd Heged?s & Csaba Lentner, 2024. "Examining financial literacy and the financial aspects of Hofstede's four-factor culture model in Hungary," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 19(1), pages 1-20, Enero - M.
    8. Kotkowski, Radoslaw, 2023. "National culture and the demand for physical money during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    9. Andrej Cupák & Pirmin Fessler & Maria Silgoner & Elisabeth Ulbrich, 2021. "Exploring Differences in Financial Literacy Across Countries: The Role of Individual Characteristics and Institutions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(2), pages 409-438, December.
    10. Fetherolf, Raylin & Lovelace, Kelley Bergsma, 2023. "Dimensions of national culture and R2 around the world," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    11. Davoli, Maddalena & Rodríguez-Planas, Núria, 2021. "Preferences, Financial Literacy, and Economic Development," IZA Discussion Papers 14759, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Shishir Shakya & Nabamita Dutta, 2024. "How Individualism Influences Female Financial Inclusion through Education: Evidence from Historical Prevalence of Infectious Diseases," Working Papers 24-03, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.

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