Abstract:
This research aims to study the relationship between generations and financial literacy of Chiang Rai People. Questionnaires were utilized to collect data from 399 samples including groups of Baby Boomers (Age between 58-75 years old), Generation X (Age between 37-57 years old) and Generation Y (Age between 13-36 years old) in Chiang Rai. The descriptive statistics applied in this research were percentage, frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The comparison of means t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed to test hypotheses.
The results showed that (1) Baby Boomers possessed equality at high and low scores of financial knowledge (33.8%), while the majority of Generation X (82.7%) and Generation Y (74.5%) displayed high scores of financial knowledge. (2) The majority of Baby Boomers (66.9%), Generation X (85%) and Generation Y (84.2%) depicted high scores of financial behavior. (3) The majority of Baby Boomers (49.6%), Generation X (81.2%) and Generation Y (75.2%) also had high scores on financial attitude.
The results based on hypotheses testing showed that gender was significantly related to financial knowledge and financial attitude. In addition, generation, status, educational level, career and monthly income were significantly associated with financial knowledge, financial behavior and financial attitude. In terms of financial knowledge weaknesses of Baby Boomers and Generation X, their weaknesses were (1) understanding of compound interest calculation and (2) understanding of interest plus principle calculation and (3) understanding of risk and return, while weaknesses of Generation Y were (1) understanding of compound interest calculation and (2) understanding of interest plus principle calculation and (3) understanding of a diversified portfolio of investment. In terms of financial behavior, Baby Boomers displayed weaknesses of no planning before spending, without comparing information before making purchase decision and experiencing inadequate income comparing to expenses. Generation X and Generation Y demonstrated weaknesses of no planning before spending and experiencing inadequate income comparing to expenses. In terms of financial attitude, Baby Boomers had lowest attitude scores compared to Generation X and Generation Y for no financial plan and short term financial goal.