CULTURAL BASIS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY: THEORY AND EVIDENCE IN THE CASE OF RUSSIA.

Empirical evidence of financial literacy in the adult population during almost 10 years shows stable financial illiteracy of Russian population. By financial literacy Russia consistently occupies one of the last places in the surveys made by different researches, and does not improve its score with time. Financial illiteracy negatively effects Russian financial market's stability and economic growth of the country. Numeracy and capacity to do calculations related to interest rates lies in the root financial capability. Why does Russia with literate population and high level of education in exact sciences show so poor results in financial savvy? This phenomenon can not be explained only by low development of formal institutions, such as financial sector in Russia. Financial services grow rapidly and widespread in this country. We argue that financial behavior is based on cultural peculiarities of the nation. Irresponsible financial behavior is the reason of financial illiteracy. If one does not think that it is important to enhance financial capabilities, his/her financial literacy will remain at low level. Our hypothesis is that consistent financial illiteracy of nation can be explained by non-formal institutions, which form the culture of the nation. The paper undertakes assessment of how beliefs, preferences and value system of the nation influence its financial behavior and financial literacy. The survey is based on social research methods, such as interviewing, mathematic economy and the research tools of cultural economics. We argue that omitting national cultural features when establishing public policy of enhancing financial capabilities level, will make this policy ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]