The issue of financial literacy: Low finance between risk and morality
Abstract
The general lack of financial literacy among the citizens of developed countries has become an increasingly important political issue over the past fifteen years in international bodies, first and foremost, the OECD, but also the G20, the World Bank and the IMF. There have been numerous reports, surveys, conferences and implementation programs on the issue. Originally, the focus was on pensions. The 2005 OECD report on the subject marks a very important step: while seeking to push ‘good practices’ with regard to financial literacy the OECD started to emphasize the urgent need for public policies. The risks are huge: facing the weakening of the welfare state, deregulation of financial markets and the financialization of domestic savings, the middle classes in rich countries are having to cope with increased financial risks in three areas: the pension replacement rate, overindebtedness and financial inclusion.