Teaching teenagers in finance: does it work?

Lührmann, Melanie; Serra-Garcia, Marta and Winter, Joachim (October 2012): Teaching teenagers in finance: does it work? Discussion Papers in Economics 2012-24

Abstract

Many initiatives worldwide aim at improving financial literacy through targeted education programs, yet there is little evidence regarding their effectiveness. We examine the impact of a short financial education program on teenagers in German high schools. Our findings reveal that the training program significantly increases teenagers' interest in financial matters and their financial knowledge, especially their ability to properly assess the riskiness of assets. Behaviorally, we observe a decrease in the prevalence of self-reported impulse purchases, but at the same time find no evidence of a significant increase in savings. Our data reveals strong gender differences already before adulthood: Girls show less interest in, and self-assessed knowledge of, financial matters, and are less likely to save.

• Item Type: Paper
• Faculties: Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics; Economics > Chairs > Chair of Empirical Economics
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology; 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• JEL Classification: C93, D14
• Language: English

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