Analysis of demographic variation and childhood correlates of financial well-being across 22 countries

Abstract

Using nationally representative data from 202,898 participants in the Global Flourishing Study, this work examines factors associated with financial well-being across 22 countries. We investigate how demographic factors—including age, gender, marital status, employment status, education, religious service attendance and immigration status—are correlated with financial well-being (as assessed through four dimensions). Additionally, we analyse associations between recalled early-life conditions, such as parental marital status and childhood health, with financial well-being in adulthood. Our findings reveal cross-national differences in levels of financial well-being and its demographic correlates. Early-life conditions were also consistently associated with adult financial well-being, although these associations varied substantially across countries. These results suggest that understanding financial well-being should encompass both current sociodemographic factors and early-life experiences within the unique cultural and socioeconomic contexts of different populations.