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Financial knowledge among university students and implications for personal debt and fraudulent investments

Author

Listed:
  • Panayiotis C. Andreou

    (Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus; Durham University Business School, United Kingdom)

  • Dennis Philip

    (Durham University Business School, United Kingdom)

Abstract

The study is the first attempt to examine financial literacy, financial aptitude and behaviour among university students in Cyprus. The student survey covers 881 Cypriot students, aged mostly 18-24, across the five biggest universities in Cyprus. The financial knowledge scale used in the survey measures the understanding of basic concepts including interest rates, inflation, risk and diversification. Results show that 6.24% of students answered all questions correctly, with only 36.9% having a good financial knowledge proficiency level (answering at least 4 correct responses out of 6). While socio-demographic characteristics and students’ soft skills and traits distinguish high financial knowledge students, strikingly, parental background and parental advice does not seem to play an important role for high financial knowledge. Financial knowledge is also seen to have a distinct channel of influence on students’ understanding of managing their credit card debt and students’ ability to deter themselv s from fraudulent investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Panayiotis C. Andreou & Dennis Philip, 2018. "Financial knowledge among university students and implications for personal debt and fraudulent investments," Cyprus Economic Policy Review, University of Cyprus, Economics Research Centre, vol. 12(2), pages 3-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:erc:cypepr:v:12:y:2018:i:2:p:3-23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Panayiotis C. Andreou & Sofia Anyfantaki, 2019. "Financial literacy and its influence on consumers’ internet banking behaviour," Working Papers 275, Bank of Greece.
    2. TAVARES Fernando Oliveira & ALMEIDA Luís Gomes & SOARES Vasco Jorge & TAVARES Vasco Capela, 2022. "Financial literacy: an exploratory analysis in Portugal," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 17(2), pages 252-269, August.
    3. Hagen, Johannes & Malisa, Amedeus, 2022. "Financial fraud and individual investment behavior," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 593-626.
    4. Andreou, Panayiotis C. & Anyfantaki, Sofia, 2021. "Financial literacy and its influence on internet banking behavior," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 658-674.
    5. Wei, Li & Peng, Ming & Wu, Weixing, 2021. "Financial literacy and fraud detection——Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 478-494.

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