Measurement of Youth Financial Literacy and Implications in Korea

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the measurement results of the financial comprehension test conducted ten times in order to study the financial comprehension. Research design, data, and methodology: In this study, correct answer rates in the Economics and Finance Literacy Certification Test were analyzed across ten rounds of tests taken by 6,662 high school students in Korea. Result: The analysis revealed that Korean high school students’ level of financial literacy generally increased as the grade level increased, and the correct answer rates of students at autonomous high schools and special-purpose high schools were statistically different from those of students at general academic high schools and specialized high schools. Conclusion: We can therefore infer that students at specialized high schools face limitations in tackling financial problems due to their lack of proficiency in interpretation and calculation of data necessary for real life financial decision-making. In contrast, students at general academic high schools, special-purpose high schools, and autonomous high schools who do not learn finance as a part of their official curriculum at school were lacking in basic financial knowledge as well as knowledge about the financial system compared to students at specialized high schools, highlighting the need for a measure to address the deficiency.