Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Financial Literacy Drives Savings Disparities in India
In India, people with different levels of financial knowledge save money in different ways.
Some people, especially those who understand financial concepts well, save a lot by investing in things like mutual funds and stocks.
Others, who may not understand these concepts as well, tend to save by keeping cash or buying gold.
A study found that people who know more about money save about 24% of their income, while those who know less save only 12%.
However, even knowing about money isn't always enough.
Some people might understand financial products but still prefer traditional ways of saving because they trust them more.
Also, having confidence in managing money is just as important as knowing the facts.
Financial literacy helps people make better decisions, but other factors like income and cultural habits also play a big role.
Financial literacy significantly impacts how much and how people save.
Households with higher financial literacy save 24% of their income compared to 12% for those with lower literacy.
Traditional assets like gold and cash are preferred by less financially literate households.
Financial literacy improves decision-making but doesn't eliminate structural barriers like low income.
Confidence in managing money is as important as financial knowledge for better financial outcomes.
- Who
- Indian households with varying levels of financial literacy
- What
- The impact of financial literacy on savings behavior
- When
- 2025 study published
- Where
- Urban and semi-urban areas in India
- Why
- To understand how financial literacy influences savings and investment decisions
Traditional Savings
Modern Investments
Preferred Savings Methods
Traditional Savings
Gold and cash are considered safe and culturally preferred.
Modern Investments
Emergency funds, SIPs, and equities are prioritized for long-term growth.
Financial Literacy Impact
Traditional Savings
Low financial literacy leads to reliance on traditional assets.
Modern Investments
High financial literacy encourages diversification and modern investments.
Income Utilization
Traditional Savings
Income is often spent on immediate needs with little left for savings.
Modern Investments
Income is planned and budgeted to maximize savings and investments.
- Study Year
- 2025
- Study Journal
- International Journal of Scientific Development and Research
- Sample Size
- 400 households
- High Literacy Savings Rate
- 24%
- Low Literacy Savings Rate
- 12%
- Key Financial Concepts
- Inflation, compound interest, diversification, emergency planning
- Cultural Preferences
- Gold and property as traditional investments
- Financial Inclusion Tools
- Jan Dhan accounts, UPI, digital payments