Key findings

Keeping track

Adults with numeracy and literacy needs tended to be better than average at keeping track of their finances. Women, single parents, the unemployed and people without current accounts did especially well.

Making ends meet

People with few or no qualifications were concentrated in the bottom 20 per cent for making ends meet, although 16-17 per cent had scores in the top 20 per cent.

Planning ahead

Few of the adults in the study were planning ahead effectively, with over 30 per cent gaining scores in the bottom 20 per cent for this aspect of financial capability.

Choosing financial products

People without qualifications and those who had difficulty reading were especially poor at choosing products - and therefore likely to overspend or make unsuitable purchases.

Staying informed

People in the study were concentrated in the bottom 20 per cent of the adult population for keeping up-to-date with financial matters.