The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

People who are bad with numbers often find it harder to make ends meet – even if they are not poor

  • Written by Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Professor of Public Policy, Psychology and Behavioral Science, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
People who are bad with numbers often find it harder to make ends meet – even if they are not poor

The Research Brief[1] is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

People who are bad with numbers are more likely to experience financial difficulties than people who are good with numbers. That’s according to our analyses[2] of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll[3].

In this World Risk Poll, people from 141 countries were asked if 10% was bigger than, smaller than or the same as 1 out of 10. Participants were said to be bad with numbers if they did not provide the correct answer – which is that 10% is the same as 1 out of 10. Our analyses[4] found that people who answered incorrectly are often among the poorest in their country. Prior studies in the United States[5], United Kingdom[6], the Netherlands[7] and Peru[8] had also found that people who are bad with numbers are financially worse off. But our analyses of the World Risk Poll[9] further showed that people who are bad with numbers find it harder to make ends meet, even if they are not poor.

When we say that they found it harder to make ends meet, we mean that they reported on the poll that they found it difficult or very difficult to live on their current income, as opposed to living comfortably or getting by on their current income.

Our analyses[10] also indicate that staying in school longer is related to better number ability. People with a high school degree tend to be better with numbers than people without a high school degree. And college graduates do even better. But even among college graduates there are people who are bad with numbers – and they struggle more financially.

Of course, being good with numbers is not going to help you stretch your budget if you are very poor. We found[11] that the relationship between number ability and struggling to make ends meet holds across the world, except in low-income countries like Ethiopia, Somalia and Rwanda.

Why it matters

The ability to understand and use numbers is also called numeracy[12]. Numeracy is central to modern adult life[13] because numbers are everywhere.

A lot of well-paying jobs involve working with numbers. People who are bad with numbers often perform worse in these jobs, including banking[14]. It can therefore be hard for people who are bad with numbers to find employment and progress in their jobs[15].

People who are bad with numbers are less likely to make good financial decisions[16]. Individuals who can’t compute how interest compounds over time save the least and borrow the most[17]. People with poor numerical skills are also more likely to take on high-cost debt[18]. If you’re bad with numbers, it is hard to recognize[19] that paying the US$30 minimum payment on a credit card with a $3,000 balance and an annual percentage rate of 12% means it will never be paid off.

What still isn’t known

It is clear that people who are bad with numbers also tend to struggle financially. But we still need to explore whether teaching people math will help them to avoid financial problems.

What’s next

In her book “Innumeracy in the Wild[20],” Ellen Peters, director of the Center for Science Communication Research at the University of Oregon, suggests that it is important for students to take math classes. American high school students who had to take more math courses[21] than were previously required had better financial outcomes later in life, such as avoiding bankruptcy and foreclosures.

Successfully teaching numeracy also means helping students gain confidence in using numbers. People with low numerical confidence[22] experience bad financial outcomes, such as a foreclosure notice, independent of their numeric ability. This is because they may not even try to take on complex financial decisions.

Numerical confidence can be boosted in different ways. Among American elementary school children[23] who were bad with numbers, setting achievable goals led to better numerical confidence and performance. Among American undergraduate students[24], a writing exercise that affirmed their positive values improved their numerical confidence and performance.

[Over 140,000 readers rely on The Conversation’s newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today[25].]

Other important next steps are to find out whether training in numeracy can also be provided to adults, and whether training in numeracy improves the financial outcomes of people who do not live in high-income countries.

References

  1. ^ Research Brief (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ our analyses (doi.org)
  3. ^ Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll (wrp.lrfoundation.org.uk)
  4. ^ Our analyses (doi.org)
  5. ^ United States (doi.org)
  6. ^ United Kingdom (doi.org)
  7. ^ the Netherlands (doi.org)
  8. ^ Peru (doi.org)
  9. ^ our analyses of the World Risk Poll (doi.org)
  10. ^ Our analyses (doi.org)
  11. ^ We found (doi.org)
  12. ^ numeracy (doi.org)
  13. ^ central to modern adult life (doi.org)
  14. ^ banking (doi.org)
  15. ^ find employment and progress in their jobs (www.doi.org)
  16. ^ to make good financial decisions (www.pnas.org)
  17. ^ save the least and borrow the most (doi.org)
  18. ^ to take on high-cost debt (doi.org)
  19. ^ recognize (doi.org)
  20. ^ Innumeracy in the Wild (doi.org)
  21. ^ take more math courses (doi.org)
  22. ^ low numerical confidence (doi.org)
  23. ^ elementary school children (doi.org)
  24. ^ undergraduate students (doi.org)
  25. ^ Sign up today (memberservices.theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/people-who-are-bad-with-numbers-often-find-it-harder-to-make-ends-meet-even-if-they-are-not-poor-172272

The Times Features

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Men’s Guide to Styling Suits with Sweaters for the Ultimate Winter Look

Winter brings a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining a sharp and stylish wardrobe. While suits are a staple of a well-dressed man’s closet, staying warm during t...

Discover the Charm of a Girl's White Dress

Key Highlights Timeless elegance: White dresses feel pure and have classic charm. They are perfect for many types of events. Versatile styles: You can pick from lace, embroid...

Top Medical Grade Red Light Therapy Devices in Australia

Key Highlights Lumitter™ has advanced red light therapy devices that combine new ideas with wellness. Red light therapy helps lower pain and swelling and boosts skin health. ...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping