Financial literacy as knowledge necessary in today’s globalized world

¹ Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, 165 21, Czech Republic
² Charles University, José Martího 269/31, Prague, 162 52, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: mberanova@pef.czu.cz

Abstract

The current globalized world requires individuals to take responsibility for their decisions. Therefore, it is necessary that the younger generation reach a certain level of knowledge, including knowledge of financial literacy. Financial literacy covers an important area security in old age. The aim of this paper is to assess the level of financial literacy amongst university students, with a focus on income security in old age. Primary data were obtained by quantitative research using a questionnaire survey (n = 1 437) in 2018 amongst full-time bachelors and masters degree students at three universities. The selected universities focus on economy and agriculture and each of them is located in a different region of the Czech Republic. The results show that 47.8% of respondents worry about their income security in old age. As a way of financing the retirement, most of the respondents chose the option “from the state pension and in another way”. Statistical evaluation proved dependence between the gender of respondents and the responses mentioned above. Women more often chose the “from state pension and in another way” option than men. On the other hand, men chose the “in another way” option more often. It follows that men do not want to be dependent on the state, but they want to secure themselves in another way.