The Internal Structure of Financial Literacy in China: Evidence from Publicly Released Survey Statistics

Abstract

Financial literacy is widely regarded as an important determinant of individual financial well-being, yet growing evidence suggests that financial knowledge does not necessarily translate into sound financial behavior. Using publicly released aggregate statistics from the 2025 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey conducted by China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration, this study provides a descriptive analysis of financial literacy in China from a dimension-based perspective. The results indicate systematic differences in financial literacy across age, income, urban–rural residence, and regions, with higher scores observed among urban residents and in eastern regions. A dimension-level analysis further reveals a consistent structural pattern across regions: financial knowledge records the highest scores, whereas financial behavior consistently records the lowest. These patterns point to a persistent gap between financial understanding and financial practice and highlight the value of moving beyond aggregate indicators toward a multidimensional perspective in financial literacy research.