فجوة المعرفة المالية الإسلامية في الاقتصادات العربية

Abstract EN

This paper aims to analyze the size and nature of the financial knowledge gap in Arab economies, and its impact on financial and banking inclusion.

Islamic financial knowledge in its four dimensions (knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors) is the stock of knowledge acquired through education and/or experience related to the basic concepts and products of Islamic finance.

This paper also uses the Standard & Poor's FinLit survey data as the largest, most comprehensive measure of financial knowledge around the world.

In light of the financialization phenomenon and its manifestations represented in the growth of the financial sector, its increased power over the real economy, the explosion in the power of wealth and the reduction of all of society to the realm of finance, leading to risky financial behaviors.

Finally, the paper makes suggestions for policymakers, regulators, the Islamic financial sector and academics in Arab economies to enable them to develop effective ethical financial education strategies and programs.

This contributes to bridging the Islamic financial knowledge gap, and building strong consumer regimes to protect individuals and small business owners from fraud, exploitation and financial abuse.