Financial literacy knowledge assessment among college students in Hyderabad, India

Abstract

The present study was taken up mainly to understand the level of knowledge regarding financial matters among college students in the city of Hyderabad, India, analyse the factors influencing it, given the socio-cultural factors prevailing in the family systems in India. This study was carried out through a financial literacy survey with college students as respondents using certain personal finance literacy indicators such as income and spending, savings and investment, credits and debt, insurance etc. The research shows that despite being introduced to basic financial matters at home, the students displayed moderate to poor financial knowledge and skills in money management and financial decision-making. The paper brings forth the pressing need to incorporate financial literacy as a part of the course curriculum to college students, the citizens of tomorrow, to make them successful individuals who can be contributories to their families, communities and the nation.