Does Financial Literacy Affect Stock Market Participation?

Abstract

This study examines whether financial literacy affects stock market participation. We use data from the Preference Parameter Study, a nationwide survey in Japan, made by Osaka University. Our results show that financial literacy significantly improves stock market participation even after controlling the demographic, socio-economic, and psychological factors. The influence of financial literacy on stock market participation is robust against the measurement of financial literacy, investment in risky assets, investors’ risk aversion, and endogeneity issue. The results imply that lack of financial literacy is the reason behind people’s reluctance in stock market participation in Japan.

Keywords: Risky assets, financial literacy, household investment, Japan

JEL Classification: D1, D83, G11