IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v14y2024i10p1705-d1488396.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Financial Literacy: Identification of the Challenges, Needs, and Difficulties among Adults Living in Rural Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Katarzyna Czech

    (Department of Econometrics and Statistics, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Luiza Ochnio

    (Department of Logistics, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Michał Wielechowski

    (Department of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Serhiy Zabolotnyy

    (Department of Finance, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Financial literacy plays a crucial role in individuals’ decision-making processes. The paper aims to thoroughly identify the financial literacy needs and challenges of adults with low financial literacy living in rural areas. The paper presents the results of a focus group study conducted among a target group (35 people) and interviews with financial experts (14 people) in the first quarter of 2023. The study allows us to identify common areas of financial knowledge crucial for adults with low financial literacy living in rural areas. The study was conducted in seven European countries as part of the Erasmus+ project “Learning by Experiencing Escape Rooms: Financial Literacy for Adults (FLER)”. Key findings from the study revealed that participants exhibited low awareness of financial fraud and expressed a need to protect personal information when using digital platforms. There was a clear demand for improved knowledge in certain areas, such as budgeting, emergency funds, balancing risk and reward, and planning for retirement or long-term savings. Participants consistently viewed gamification as a valuable tool for enhancing their understanding of financial topics. The contribution of our study is that we narrow the research gap on the needs and challenges related to financial literacy among rural residents. The results will help pinpoint specific areas of financial knowledge and competencies that are particularly important for adults with low financial literacy. Moreover, these insights are crucial for developing educational content integrated into a virtual escape room to improve financial literacy through engaging, scenario-based learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarzyna Czech & Luiza Ochnio & Michał Wielechowski & Serhiy Zabolotnyy, 2024. "Financial Literacy: Identification of the Challenges, Needs, and Difficulties among Adults Living in Rural Areas," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:10:p:1705-:d:1488396
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/10/1705/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/10/1705/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. French, Declan & McKillop, Donal, 2016. "Financial literacy and over-indebtedness in low-income households," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 1-11.
    2. Swarnankur Chatterjee, 2013. "Borrowing Decisions of Credit Constrained Consumers and The Role of Financial Literacy," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(1), pages 179-191.
    3. Antonietta di Salvatore & Francesco Franceschi & Andrea Neri & Francesca Zanichelli, 2018. "Measuring the financial literacy of the adult population: the experience of the Bank of Italy," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), The role of data in supporting financial inclusion policy, volume 47, Bank for International Settlements.
    4. Morshadul Hasan & Thi Le & Ariful Hoque, 2021. "How does financial literacy impact on inclusive finance?," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Dongni Chang & Wanming Chen & Xiujun Tai & Yanwu Si, 2022. "The Impact of Financial Literacy on Rural Household Self-Employment: The Mediating Role of Financial Ability," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(11), pages 3297-3308, September.
    6. Sondra G. Beverly & Marianne A. Hilgert & Jeanne M. Hogarth, 2003. "Household financial management: the connection between knowledge and behavior," Federal Reserve Bulletin, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.), issue Jul, pages 309-322.
    7. Silin Liu & Jia He & Dingde Xu, 2023. "Understanding the Relationship between Financial Literacy and Chinese Rural Households’ Entrepreneurship from the Perspective of Credit Constraints and Risk Preference," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-15, March.
    8. Khanh Duy Pham & Vu Linh Toan Le, 2023. "Nexus between Financial Education, Literacy, and Financial Behavior: Insights from Vietnamese Young Generations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.
    9. Giovanni D’Alessio & Riccardo de Bonis & Andrea Neri & Cristiana Rampazzi, 2020. "Italian people’s financial literacy: the results of the Bank of Italy’s 2020 survey," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 588, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    10. Huidan Xu & Kun Song & Yichao Li & Martinson Ankrah Twumasi, 2023. "The Relationship between Financial Literacy and Income Structure of Rural Farm Households: Evidence from Jiangsu, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, March.
    11. Antonietta di Salvatore & Francesco Franceschi & Andrea Neri & Francesca Zanichelli, 2018. "Measuring the financial literacy of the adult population: the experience of Banca d�Italia," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 435, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. David Aristei & Manuela Gallo, 2021. "Financial Knowledge, Confidence, and Sustainable Financial Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Gallo, Giovanni & Sconti, Alessia, 2023. "How much financial literacy matters? A simulation of potential influences on inequality levels," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1266, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Azra Zaimovic & Anes Torlakovic & Almira Arnaut-Berilo & Tarik Zaimovic & Lejla Dedovic & Minela Nuhic Meskovic, 2023. "Mapping Financial Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review of Determinants and Recent Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-30, June.
    4. Kenneth De Beckker & Kristof De Witte & Geert Van Campenhout, 2020. "The role of national culture in financial literacy: Cross‐country evidence," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 912-930, September.
    5. Alessio D'Ignazio & Paolo Finaldi Russo & Massimiliano Stacchini, 2022. "Micro-entrepreneurs’ financial and digital competences during the pandemic in Italy," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 724, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    6. Trinh Quang Long & Peter J. Morgan & Naoyuki Yoshino, 2023. "Financial literacy, behavioral traits, and ePayment adoption and usage in Japan," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-30, December.
    7. Sconti, Alessia, 2022. "Digital vs. in-person financial education: What works best for Generation Z?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 300-318.
    8. Nyanzu, Frederick, 2022. "The joint effects of financial literacy and women’s empowerment training, and financial inclusion on food security: Evidence from Ghana," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322160, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Giovanni Gallo & Alessia sconti, 2023. "Could financial education be a universal social policy? A simulation of potential influences on inequality levels," Center for the Analysis of Public Policies (CAPP) 0182, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Economia "Marco Biagi".
    10. Aristei, David & Gallo, Manuela, 2022. "Assessing gender gaps in financial knowledge and self-confidence: Evidence from international data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA).
    11. Bucciol, Alessandro & Quercia, Simone & Sconti, Alessia, 2021. "Promoting financial literacy among the elderly: Consequences on confidence," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    12. Susanna Levantesi & Giulia Zacchia, 2021. "Machine Learning and Financial Literacy: An Exploration of Factors Influencing Financial Knowledge in Italy," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Lanciano, Edoardo & Previati, Daniele & Ricci, Ornella & Stentella Lopes, F. Saverio, 2024. "Gender differences and measurement error in financial literacy," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    14. Carolina Guerini & Donato Masciandaro & Alessia Papini, 2024. "Literacy and Financial Education: Private Providers, Public Certification and Political Preferences," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 24223, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    15. Claude Bernard Lontchi & Baochen Yang & Yunpeng Su, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Financial Literacy and the Moderating Role of Social Capital in the Relationship between Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    16. Andrzej Cwynar & Wiktor Cwynar & Monika Baryła-Matejczuk & Moises Betancort, 2019. "Sustainable Debt Behaviour and Well-Being of Young Adults: The Role of Parental Financial Socialisation Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-26, December.
    17. Margaret Miller & Julia Reichelstein & Christian Salas & Bilal Zia, 2015. "Can You Help Someone Become Financially Capable? A Meta-Analysis of the Literature," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 30(2), pages 220-246.
    18. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2008. "Planning and Financial Literacy: How Do Women Fare?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 413-417, May.
    19. Kamer Karakurum-Ozdemir & Melike Kokkizil & Gokce Uysal, 2019. "Financial Literacy in Developing Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(1), pages 325-353, May.
    20. Florian Deuflhard & Dimitris Georgarakos & Roman Inderst, 2019. "Financial Literacy and Savings Account Returns," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 131-164.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:10:p:1705-:d:1488396. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.