Financial literacy, investment and savings decisions among government institutions’ workers in mwanza, Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose: The study focused on examining how financial literacy influences the savings and investment decisions of government workers in Mwanza Tanzania.
Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional design approach was adopted and specifically a multistage sampling technique was fully applied to select 271 government workers from different government institutions in Mwanza-Tanzania. Primary data was collected through the use of  questionnaires and analysis of the sourced data was done through a logistic regression model which was binary in nature since this study had two  dependent variables namely savings and investment.
Findings: Findings of this study reveals that both financial attitude and financial knowledge were significant at a 5% level and had an impact on  making sound investment and savings decisions among government workers.
Research limitation/Implications: The study used only a selected sample of government employees in Mwanza. Further studies should focus on  including other non-governmental employees and the scope should be broadened to have more robust results.
Practical implications: From the study findings it is clear that most financially literate government workers stand a better chance of making  prudent decisions when it comes to savings and investments which ultimately makes them better off in their financial and economic well being.
Social Implications: Financial intermediaries and policymakers should devise a platform suited enough to equip government workers with the knowledge to make prudent savings and investment decisions.
Originality / Value: The study revealed that attitude and knowledge are the determinants of savings and investment decisions of government  employees.