Numeracy and wealth

Numeracy is defined as the ability to understand and use numerical information. We examined the relationship between numeracy and wealth using a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. For a sample of approximately 1000 Dutch adults, we found a statistically significant correlation between numerac...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Estrada, C., de Vries, M., Zeelenberg, M.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:Colombia
Institución:Universidad de los Andes
Repositorio:Séneca: repositorio Uniandes
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uniandes.edu.co:1992/46949
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/1992/46949
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167487016000234
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Numeracy
Cognitive ability
Wealth
Wealth accumulation
Descripción
Sumario:Numeracy is defined as the ability to understand and use numerical information. We examined the relationship between numeracy and wealth using a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. For a sample of approximately 1000 Dutch adults, we found a statistically significant correlation between numeracy and wealth, even after controlling for differences in education, risk preferences, beliefs about future income, financial knowledge, need for cognition or seeking financial advice. Conditional on socio-demographic characteristics, our estimates suggest that on average a one-point increase in the numeracy score (11-point scale) of the respondent is associated with 5 percent more personal wealth. Additionally, we find that numeracy is a key determinant of the wealth accumulation trajectories that people follow over time. Over a 5-year period, while participants with low numeracy decumulate wealth, participants with high numeracy maintain a constant positive level of wealth.