Socio-Economic Predictors of Financial Knowledge among Jain Women Professionals: A Primary Data Study

This study investigates the association between socio-economic factors and financial attitude among Jain women professionals, a demographic characterized by high literacy rates, economic prosperity and a distinctive ethical framework within India. Utilizing primary data collected from 200 Jain women professionals, the research employed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to uncover the underlying dimensions of financial attitude. The EFA revealed a single, robust factor, termed “Comprehensive Financial Knowledge and Efficacy.” Which accounted for a substantial 70.4% of the total variance in the financial knowledge questions. This factor signifies a unified and strong understanding of financial concepts, coupled with the confidence and practical ability to apply this knowledge in real-world financial scenarios. The sample prominently comprised young to middle aged (57% aged 25-35 years), highly educated (52.6% post-graduate or higher) and economically active Jain women, reflecting the community’s high socio-economic standing. The findings suggest that Jain women professionals exhibit a high baseline of financial knowledge and self-efficacy, potentially mitigating the gender gap in financial literacy often observed in broader populations. This robust financial acumen, ethical financial principles and supportive social networks. The study contributes a nuanced understanding of financial knowledge within a culturally distinct and economically empowered female demographic, highlighting the interplay of individual socio-economic attributes and communal values in shaping financial literacy.