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Gender gaps in financial literacy: a multi-arm RCT to break the response bias in surveys

Author

Listed:
  • Hospido, Laura
  • Iriberri, Nagore
  • Machelett, Margarita

Abstract

Gender gaps in financial literacy are pervasive and persistent. They are partly explained because women choose “I do not know†more frequently. We test for the effectiveness of three interventions to shift this behavior. The control survey includes the possibility of “I do not know". The three treatments either exclude this possibility, offer incentives for correct answers, or inform survey takers of the existing gender gap in choosing this answer option. While all interventions are very effective in reducing this answer option, only the information significantly reduces the gender gap in “I do not know†and in financial literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hospido, Laura & Iriberri, Nagore & Machelett, Margarita, 2023. "Gender gaps in financial literacy: a multi-arm RCT to break the response bias in surveys," CEPR Discussion Papers 18646, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18646
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    2. Bertola, Giuseppe & Lo Prete, Anna, 2025. "Who prefers guessing to admitting They Don't Know? Measurement error in financial literacy surveys," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    3. Lee, I. & Lléo-Bono, A. & Rauh, C. & Tipoe, E., 2025. "The Causal Effects of Confidence Awareness on Financial Literacy and Behaviour," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2567, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    4. Daniela Marconi & Marco Marinucci & Giovanna Paladino, 2025. "Digital and Financial Skills in Shaping Financial Decisions: Exploring the Gender Gap," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 11(2), pages 571-605, July.
    5. Lee, I. & Lléo-Bono, A. & Rauh, C. & Tipoe, E., 2025. "The Causal Effects of Confidence Awareness on Financial Literacy and Behaviour," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2567, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    6. Alessio D'Ignazio & Ludovica Galotto & Cristiana Rampazzi, 2024. "Tackling the gender gap in financial literacy. Evidence from a financial education program in the workplace," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 855, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    7. Ana Lleó-Bono & Ines Lee & Christopher Rauh & Eileen Tipoe, 2025. "The Causal Effects of Confidence Awareness on Financial Literacy and Behaviour," Working Papers 1522, Barcelona School of Economics.
    8. Cziriak, Marius & Bucher-Koenen, Tabea & Alessie, Rob, 2024. "Beyond knowledge: Confidence and the Gender Gap in Financial Literacy," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302421, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • 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
    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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