Work

Religion, economic attitudes, and household finance

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the differences in economic attitudes and financial decisions between religious and non-religious households. Using Dutch survey data, we find that religious households consider themselves more trusting, and have a stronger bequest motive and a longer planning horizon. Furthermore, Catholics attach more importance to thrift and are more risk averse, while Protestants combine a more external locus of control with a greater sense of financial responsibility. Religious households are more likely to save. Catholic households invest less frequently in the stock market. Economic attitudes are particularly helpful in explaining the financial decisions of Catholic households.

Source: Oxford Economic Papers

DOI: 10.1093/oep/gpr025

Authors: L. Renneboog, C. Spaenjers

Institutions: Tilburg University, HEC Paris

Language: English

Topic: Financial Literacy, Pension, Retirement Analysis

Subfield: Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Universiteit van Tilburg

OpenAlex ID: W2098682928