Gender Differences in Financial Well-Being: A Multi-Group Analysis of Indonesian Income-Earning Gen-Z
Downloads
Gen-Z in Indonesia faces financial challenges due to low financial literacy, impulsive spending, and FOMO, prioritizing short-term desires over long-term financial freedom and stability. This study examines key determinants of financial well-being among Gen-Z, integrating gender differences as a moderator. Through PLS-SEM and MGA analysis of 612 respondents, this study identifies financial literacy, self-control, behavior, and stress as key determinants of financial well-being. Financial behavior and stress mediate key relationships, with gender differences in financial understanding and stress management. This study suggests that governments should introduce financial literacy earlier and offer accessible financial consultations, while Gen-Z must cultivate self-discipline and financial knowledge to achieve sustainable financial well-being.
Downloads
Agustiyanti. (2023). Rata-rata UMP 2024 Hanya Naik Rp 100 Ribu, Apakah karena Aturan Baru? KataData. https://katadata.co.id/berita/nasional/655eeec62a609/rata-rata-ump-2024-hanya-naik-rp-100-ribu-apakah-karena-aturan-baru
Amonhaemanon, D. (2024). Financial stress and gambling motivation: the importance of financial literacy. Review of Behavioral Finance, 16(2), 248–265. https://doi.org/10.1108/RBF-01-2023-0026
Ann, Q. J. (2023). Say goodbye to retirement? A ‘soft saving’ trend is emerging among young people. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/23/soft-saving-trends-reshape-gen-z-millennials-personal-finance-goals.html
Ares, L. R., López, S. F., González, S. C., & Pazos, D. R. (2021). Does self-control constitute a driver of millennials’ financial behaviors and attitudes? Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 93, 101702. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2021.101702
Badrudin, R., Fahlevi, M., Dahlan, S. P., Dahlan, O. P., & Dandi, M. (2025). Financial stress and its determinants in Indonesia: Exploring the moderating effects of digital knowledge, age, and gender. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(2), 100528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100528
Bai, R. (2023). Impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting and self control on financial wellbeing: Mediating impact of investment decision making. PLOS ONE, 18(11), e0294466. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294466
Bernardo, A., & Resurreccion, K. F. (2018). Financial Stress and Well-being of Filipino Students: The Moderating Role of External Locus-of-hope. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 51(1), 33–61. https://doi.org/10.31710/pjp/0051.01.03
Chen, & Sun, S. (2023). Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Financial Capability and Health in Later Life: Evidence From Hong Kong. Innovation in Aging, 7(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad072
CNN Indonesia. (2024). 9,89 Juta Gen Z di Indonesia Menganggur. CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20240529103105-532-1103213/989-juta-gen-z-di-indonesia-menganggur
Diah, A. I. G. A. A., & Henny, R. (2021). The Influence of Financial Literacy, Self–Control, Spiritual Quotient, and Financial Behavior towards Financial Wellbeing: A Case Study of Civil Servant in Kantor Regional X BKN Denpasar. Eurasia: Economics & Business, 8(50), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.18551/econeurasia.2021-08
Fachrudin, K. A., & Latifah, S. (2022). Relationship between individual characteristics, neurotic personality, personal financial distress, and financial behavior. Cogent Business & Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2105565
Fiksenbaum, L., Marjanovic, Z., & Greenglass, E. (2017). Financial threat and individuals’ willingness to change financial behavior. Review of Behavioral Finance, 9(2), 128–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/RBF-09-2016-0056
Ghozali, I. (2016). Aplikasi Analisis Multivariate dengan Program IBM SPSS 23. IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance, 3(1), 98.
Guan, N., Guariglia, A., Moore, P., Xu, F., & Al-Janabi, H. (2022). Financial stress and depression in adults: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 17(2 Febuary), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264041
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Seventh, R. E. A. (2014). Multivariate Data Analysis: Pearson New International Edition. In Neuromarketing in India: Understanding the Indian Consumer (7th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Hair Jr, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., & Gudergan, S. P. (2017). Advanced Issues in Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. saGe publications.
Hashmi, F., Aftab, H., Martins, J. M., Nuno Mata, M., Qureshi, H. A., Abreu, A., & Mata, P. N. (2021). The role of self-esteem, optimism, deliberative thinking and self-control in shaping the financial behavior and financial well-being of young adults. PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0256649. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256649
Hasler, A., & Lusardi, A. (2017). The gender gap in financial literacy: A global perspective. Global Financial Literacy Excellence Centre, July, 1–22. www.gflec.org
Hodge, L., McIntyre, H., Morley, C., Briese, J., Clarke, J., & Kostecki, T. (2024). “My Anxiety Was Through the Roof”: The Gendered Nature of Financial Stress and Its Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being for Women When Undertaking Social Work Placements. Affilia, 39(3), 499–516. https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099231225228
Hossain, M. K., Mahfuz, T., Latif, S., & Hossain, M. E. (2023). Determinants of financial stress among university students and its impact on their performance. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 15(1), 226–237. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-02-2021-0082
Hussain, B., Ullah, K., & Haider, S. (2021). Determinants of Financial Behavior and Financial Wellbeing in District Kohat. Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(18), 1667–1690.
IDN Research Institute. (2024). Indonesia Gen Z Report 2024. In IDN Research Institute. https://cdn.idntimes.com/content-documents/indonesia-gen-z-report-2024.pdf
Juita, V., Pujani, V., Rahim, R., & Rahayu, R. (2024). Dataset on online impulsive buying behavior of buy now pay later users and non-buy now pay later users in Indonesia using the stimulus-organism-response model. Data in Brief, 54, 110500. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110500
Kafka, K. I. (2021). Culture, Institutions and Financial Development. Journal of Business Accounting and Finance Perspectives, 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.35995/jbafp3010003
Khotimah, K., & Isbanah, Y. (2019). Demografi, Faktor Individu dan Literasi Keuangan Wanita Karir di Surabaya. Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen, 7(2), 551–563.
Kiram, M. Z. (2024). Interrogating masculinity, gender performance, and power dynamics in Indonesian society through Taylor Swift’s ‘The Man.’ Gender Equality: International Journal of Child and Gender Studies, 10(2), 209. https://doi.org/10.22373/equality.v10i2.25877
Kumar, J., Rani, V., Rani, G., & Sarker, T. (2023). Determinants of the financial wellbeing of individuals in an emerging economy: an empirical study. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 41(4), 860–881. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-10-2022-0475
Laturette, K., Widianingsih, L. P., & Subandi, L. (2021). Literasi Keuangan Pada Generasi Z. Jurnal Pendidikan Akuntansi (JPAK), 9(1), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.26740/jpak.v9n1.p131-139
Li, X., Kong, D., Khan, M. A., LeBaron-Black, A. B., Holmes, E. K., James, S., & Yorgason, J. (2025). For richer, for poorer: Financial communication, power (im)balance, and social sabotage among U.S. different-gender couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 42(4), 1027–1050. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241313237
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2023). The Importance of Financial Literacy: Opening a New Field. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4420560
Lusardi, A., & Streeter, J. L. (2023). Financial literacy and financial well-being: Evidence from the US. Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, 1(2), 169–198. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1017/flw.2023.13
Maji, S. K., & Prasad, S. (2024). Present bias and its influence on financial behaviours amongst Indians. IIM Ranchi Journal of Management Studies, ahead-of-p(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/IRJMS-02-2024-0009
Megawati, S., Machmud, A., & Alfarizi, M. (2024). Telemedicine and transformative health access for millennials-Gen Z: PLS-SEM based behavioral exploration. Technology in Society, 79(November 2023), 102714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102714
Mejia, C. E., Mejía, D., & Córdoba, P. (2023). Financial literacy and financial wellbeing: Evidence from Peru and Uruguay. Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing, 1(2), 403–429. https://doi.org/10.1017/flw.2023.15
Meshchaninova, E. Y. (2024). Value-semantic attitude to money: gender aspect. Moscow State University Bulletin. Series 18. Sociology and Political Science, 30(2), 178–188. https://doi.org/10.24290/1029-3736-2024-30-2-178-188
Mireku, K., Appiah, F., & Agana, J. A. (2023). Is there a link between financial literacy and financial behaviour? Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2188712
Mokhtar, N., & Husniyah, A. R. (2017). Determinants of financial well-being among public employees in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 25(3), 1241–1260.
Nasr, R., Rahman, A. A., Haddad, C., Nasr, N., Karam, J., Hayek, J., Ismael, I., Swaidan, E., Salameh, P., & Alami, N. (2024). The impact of financial stress on student wellbeing in Lebanese higher education. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1809. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19312-0
OJK. (2024). OJK dan BPS Umumkan Hasil Survei Nasional Literasi dan Inklusi Keuangan Tahun 2024. https://ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Pages/OJK-dan-BPS-Umumkan-Hasil-Survei-Nasional-Literasi-dan-Inklusi-Keuangan-Tahun-2024.aspx
Peña, H. Dela, Puzon, H. J., Villamil, C., & Culajara, C. L. B. (2024). Financial Literacy and Financial Stress among College Students within Davao Region. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 50(6), 509–522. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2024/v50i61428
Potrich, A. C., Vieira, K. M., & Paraboni, A. L. (2025). Youth Financial Literacy Short Scale: Proposition and validation of a measure. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101214. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101214
Prakash, N., Alagarsamy, S., & Hawaldar, A. (2022). Demographic characteristics influencing financial wellbeing: a multigroup analysis. Managerial Finance, 48(9–10), 1334–1351. https://doi.org/10.1108/MF-09-2021-0466
Prasad, S., Kiran, R., & Sharma, R. K. (2021). Behavioural, Socio-economic Factors, Financial Literacy and Investment Decisions: Are Men More Rational and Women More Emotional? The Indian Economic Journal, 69(1), 66–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019466220987023
Raaij, W. F. van, Riitsalu, L., & Põder, K. (2023). Direct and indirect effects of self-control and future time perspective on financial well-being. Journal of Economic Psychology, 99, 102667. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2023.102667
Rafik, A., & Rahayu, A. S. (2020). Financial behaviour and financial wellbeing of MSMEs actors: The role of financial literacy and cognitive factors. Jurnal Siasat Bisnis, 24(1), 72–86. https://doi.org/10.20885/jsb.vol24.iss1.art6
Rahman, M., Isa, C. R., Masud, M. M., Sarker, M., & Chowdhury, N. T. (2021). The role of financial behaviour, financial literacy, and financial stress in explaining the financial well-being of B40 group in Malaysia. Future Business Journal, 7(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-021-00099-0
Ravikumar, T., Sriram, M., Kannan, N., Elias, I., & Seshadri, V. (2022). Relationship between financial stress and financial well-being of micro and small business owners: Evidence from India. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(4), 306–319. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(4).2022.23
Rizaty, M. A. (2022). KIC: Mayoritas Gen Z dan Y Akui Pengeluaran Bulanan Lebih Besar dari Pendapatan. Databoks. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2022/01/13/kic-mayoritas-gen-z-dan-y-akui-pengeluaran-bulanan-lebih-besar-dari-pendapatan
Rosmaniar, A., Firmansyah, A., Fatihudin, D., & Faisal, M. (2022). Gen Z’s Gender, Hedonic Shopping Motives and Impulse Buying. Jurnal Akuntansi, Manajemen Dan Ekonomi, 24(Vol 24 No 2), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.32424/1.jame.2022.24.2.5410
Sabri, M. F., Abdullah, N., Zenhendel, M., & Ahmad, S. Y. (2017). Moderation effect of gender on financial literacy, money attitude, financial strains and financial capability. Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics, 20(December), 83–101.
Sabri, M. F., Anthony, M., Law, S. H., Rahim, H. A., Burhan, N. A. S., & Ithnin, M. (2023). Impact of financial behaviour on financial well-being: evidence among young adults in Malaysia. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 0123456789. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-023-00234-8
Sabri, M. F., Wahab, R., Mahdzan, N. S., Magli, A. S., & Rahim, H. A. (2022). Mediating Effect of Financial Behaviour on the Relationship Between Perceived Financial Wellbeing and Its Factors Among Low-Income Young Adults in Malaysia. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.858630
Sahabuddin, Z. A., & Hadianto, B. (2023). Gender, financial literacy, and financial behavior among students. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 11(2), 203–212. https://doi.org/10.18488/73.v11i2.3367
Sajid, M., Mushtaq, R., Murtaza, G., Yahiaoui, D., & Pereira, V. (2024). Financial literacy, confidence and well-being: The mediating role of financial behavior. Journal of Business Research, 182, 114791. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114791
Sajuyigbe, A. S., Adegun, E. A., Adeyemi, F., Johnson, A. A., Oladapo, J. T., & Jooda, D. T. (2024). The Interplay of Financial Literacy on the Financial Behavior and Well-being of Young Adults: Evidence from Nigeria. Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi Terapan, 9(1), 120–136. https://doi.org/10.20473/jiet.v9i1.56411
Sass, S. A., Belbase, A., Cooperrider, T., & Mercado, J. D. R. (2015). What do subjective assessments of financial well-being reflect? Center for Retirement Research, 1–25.
Setiana, S., Debbianita, D., & Eunike, E. (2023). Financial literacy, gender, and economic behavior: The perspective of undergraduate accounting students. AKURASI: Jurnal Riset Akuntansi Dan Keuangan, 5(3), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.36407/akurasi.v5i3.1093
Setyonaluri, D., Nasution, G., Ayunisa, F., Kharistiyanti, A., & Sulistya, F. (2021). Social Norms and Women’s Economic Participation in Indonesia. https://investinginwomen.asia/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Lembaga-Demografi-Faculty-of-Economics-and-Business-Universitas-Indonesia-Social-Norms-and-Womens-Economic-Participation.pdf
Setyowati, D. (2024). Kredit Macet Pinjol Rp 1,8 Triliun, Paling Banyak Gen Z dan Milenial. KataData. https://katadata.co.id/digital/fintech/66541ce429817/kredit-macet-pinjol-rp-1-8-triliun-paling-banyak-gen-z-dan-milenial
Simonse, O., Van Dijk, W. W., Van Dillen, L. F., & Van Dijk, E. (2024). Economic predictors of the subjective experience of financial stress. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, 42, 100933. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2024.100933
Siregar, S. R., Zulpahmi, Z., Larasati, M., C. Enciso, R., Sumardi, S., Setiawan, E., & Widodo Nugroho, A. (2024). Measuring Financial Well-Being in Generation Z in Indonesia. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología - Serie de Conferencias, 3. https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf2024.995
Sorgente, A., Atay, B., Aubrey, M., Bhatia, S., Crespo, C., Fonseca, G., Güneri, O. Y., Lep, Ž., Lessard, D., Negru-Subtirica, O., Portugal, A., Ranta, M., Relvas, A. P., Singh, N., Sirsch, U., Zupančič, M., & Lanz, M. (2024). One (Financial Well-Being) Model Fits All? Testing the Multidimensional Subjective Financial Well-Being Scale Across Nine Countries. Journal of Happiness Studies, 25(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00708-z
Sorgente, A., Zambelli, M., & Lanz, M. (2023). Are Financial Well-Being and Financial Stress the Same Construct? Insights from an Intensive Longitudinal Study. Social Indicators Research, 169(1–2), 553–573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-023-03171-0
Weinstein, A., & Dannon, P. (2015). Is Impulsivity a Male Trait Rather than Female Trait? Exploring the Sex Difference in Impulsivity. Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports, 2(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-015-0031-8
Welsh, D. H. B., Botero, I. C., Kaciak, E., & Kopaničová, J. (2021). Family emotional support in the transformation of women entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Research, 137, 444–451. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.059
World Bank. (2021). Chapter 3: Financial Resilience. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex/Report#:~:text=data on the degree of,in unbanked and underbanked populations
Younas, W., Raju, M. F., Khalil, F., & Raju, V. (2019). Impact of Self-Control, Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior on Financial Well-Being. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 51, 211–218. https://doi.org/10.32861/jssr.51.211.218
Zaimovic, A., Omanovic, A., Nuhic Meskovic, M., Arnaut-Berilo, A., Zaimovic, T., Dedovic, L., & Torlakovic, A. (2025). The nexus between digital financial knowledge and financial inclusion: digital financial attitudes and behaviour as mediators enhancing financial inclusion. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 43(2), 388–423. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-01-2024-0053
Zulaihati, S., Susanti, S., & Widyastuti, U. (2020). Teachers’ financial literacy: Does it impact on financial behaviour? Management Science Letters, 653–658. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.9.014
Copyright (c) 2026 Jurnal Economia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.













