Financial literacy poor across urban, rural population in country: RBI survey

New Delhi: A general perception is that most of the rural population is not well-versed in digital banking in India. However, in what can be termed as a revelation, according to a pan-India "Financial Literacy and Inclusion survey" conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), digital banking awareness and knowledge among the rural and urban population across the country is at par with each other, with the average being 11.7 for both segments on a score of 21.

The survey was based on three parameters namely, financial knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. On a total score of 21, the average urban and rural scores were 11.7. Zone-wise, the scores were as follows: In the north zone, the scores in urban and rural areas were at par at 11.5 each. 

Similarly in the east zone too, the scores were 12.1 for both rural and urban areas. In the central zone, the score for urban areas was 12.5 and for rural areas, it was marginally less at 12.1. The West zone also showed neck-to-neck scores with urban areas recording 12.6 and rural areas showing 12.5.

In the south zone, the urban area score was 11.2 while the rural area score stood at 10.3. With both urban and rural areas not showing much of a difference across the country according to the RBI survey, it indicates that in terms of awareness about digital banking, a lot needs to be done to improve knowledge across all strata of society.