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Fearless Woman: Financial Literacy and Stock Market Participation

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  • Tabea Bucher-Koenen
  • Rob J. Alessie
  • Annamaria Lusardi
  • Maarten van Rooij

Abstract

Women are less financially literate than men. It is unclear whether this gap reflects a lack of knowledge or, rather, a lack of confidence. Our survey experiment shows that women tend to disproportionately respond “do not know” to questions measuring financial knowledge, but when this response option is unavailable, they often choose the correct answer. We estimate a latent class model and predict the probability that respondents truly know the correct answers. We find that about one-third of the financial literacy gender gap can be explained by women’s lower confidence levels. Both financial knowledge and confidence explain stock market participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tabea Bucher-Koenen & Rob J. Alessie & Annamaria Lusardi & Maarten van Rooij, 2021. "Fearless Woman: Financial Literacy and Stock Market Participation," NBER Working Papers 28723, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:28723
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • 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

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