Financial Behavior: Preliminary Survey Results

Abstract

This study aimed to find out relationship between financial behavior and socio-demographic variables including, gender, income, working experience and pre-knowledge on personal finance. The study was based on an online survey. It was shared on social media in Italy and Turkey. Totally 394 Italian and Turkish university students were included in the research. Independent Sample t-test was used to analyze the data. The study found that Turkish students had higher financial behavior score than Italian students. Higher income, having working experience and pre-knowledge on personal finance were determinants for having higher level of financial behaviors for both Italian and Turkish students. When making a comparison between Italian and Turkish students, ıt was concluded that Turkish students who were female, having lower income, no working experience and no pre-knowledge on personal finance had higher level of financial behavior. There was no difference between Italian and Turkish students in terms of being male. This study may provide policymakers with fruitful findings to increase favorable financial level of university students.