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Gender Gaps in Financial Literacy: A Multi-Arm RCT to Break the Response Bias in Surveys

Author

Listed:
  • Hospido, Laura

    (Bank of Spain)

  • Iriberri, Nagore

    (University of the Basque Country)

  • Machelett, Margarita

    (Banco de España)

Abstract

Gender gaps in financial literacy are pervasive and persistent. They are partly explained because women choose "I do not know" more frequently. We test for the effectiveness of three interventions to shift this behavior. The control survey includes the possibility of "I do not know". The three treatments either exclude this possibility, offer incentives for correct answers, or inform survey takers of the existing gender gap in choosing this answer option. While all interventions are very effective in reducing this answer option, only the information significantly reduces the gender gap in "I do not know" and in financial literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hospido, Laura & Iriberri, Nagore & Machelett, Margarita, 2023. "Gender Gaps in Financial Literacy: A Multi-Arm RCT to Break the Response Bias in Surveys," IZA Discussion Papers 16628, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bottazzi, Laura & Lusardi, Annamaria, 2021. "Stereotypes in financial literacy: Evidence from PISA," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    2. Tabea Bucher-Koenen & Rob Alessie & Annamaria Lusardi & Maarten van Rooij, 2021. "Fearless Woman. Financial Literacy and Stock Market Participation," Working Papers 708, DNB.
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    10. Tabea Bucher-Koenen & Annamaria Lusardi & Rob Alessie & Maarten van Rooij, 2017. "How Financially Literate Are Women? An Overview and New Insights," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 255-283, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessio D'Ignazio & Ludovica Galotto & Cristiana Rampazzi, 2024. "Tackling the gender gap in financial literacy. Evidence from a financial education program in the workplace," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 855, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial literacy; gender gaps; survey methods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • 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
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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