The Distribution of Financial Literacy in Australia

Ordered logit models are used to predict financial literacy on the basis of individual demographic, socioeconomic and financial characteristics. The data is drawn from the 2003 ANZ Survey of Adult Financial Literacy in Australia and relates to 3,548 respondents. Financial literacy is defined, amongst other things, in terms of standard mathematical ability and understanding of basic and advanced financial terms. Factors examined include gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, educational level and family structure, along with household income, savings (including superannuation), and mortgage and non-mortgage debt. The evidence suggests that financial literacy is highest for respondents aged between 50 and 60 years, professionals, executives, business and farm owners, and those who have completed university or college with higher levels of income, savings and debt. Financial literacy is lowest for females, the unemployed and other non-workers, those from a non-English speaking background, and those with only the lowest levels of secondary education. The models best predict the highest and lowest levels of financial literacy