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Opinion
Hongkongers deserve a financial education that empowers them
Knowing how to spend, save and invest shouldn’t be a luxury for bankers in Central but a necessity for people to thrive
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Tarun Gulabani is a Hong Kong-based writer and financial thinker with a background in business education and over 15 years of experience in banking and wealth management.
In March, the Investor and Financial Education Council launched “Hong Kong Money Month 2025”, aiming to strengthen financial resilience and combat financial fraud among the public.
Despite Hong Kong’s status as a global financial hub, a significant portion of its population lacks essential financial literacy. Personal finance is still largely absent from our school curriculum. We teach students algebra and essay writing but rarely show them how to read a bank statement or plan a monthly budget. While some non-governmental organisations offer workshops, they’re not systematically embedded in our education system.
Migrant domestic workers, who play a crucial role in Hong Kong’s economy, also face financial literacy challenges. A 2024 survey by Enrich HK and the University of Hong Kong found that 62 per cent of migrant domestic workers are “financial beginners”, highlighting the need for targeted financial education programmes.
I remember getting my first part-time pay cheque when I was in secondary school. Like many weekend workers at a chain store, it felt empowering – until I saw how little I understood about what was on the payslip.
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