PISA 2022 Results (Volume IV): How Financially Smart are Students? is an OECD report assessing financial literacy among 15-year-olds across 20 countries and economies.
Summary: This is the international PISA financial literacy assessment, testing teenagers on real financial decision-making. It found big gaps: only 11% of students hit the top proficiency level (able to analyze complex financial products), while 18% could only manage basic tasks like telling needs from wants. Socioeconomic background made a huge difference, advantaged students outscored disadvantaged ones by more than a full proficiency level. The report also looked at behavior and attitudes: most students save money and compare prices, but 60% admit to buying things just because friends had them.
Big Idea: Financial literacy is learned early and unevenly. Most students learn what a “budget” or “loan” means, but very few retain concepts like compound interest or diversification.
Playable Takeaway: The proficiency levels used in the assessment (from “tell needs from wants” up to “analyze complex financial products”) could work as a natural difficulty/level progression in a game, with mechanics like comparison shopping, budgeting, and peer-pressure purchase decisions (the “bought it because a friend had it” data point) built in as recognizable, relatable scenarios for young players.