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on Financial Literacy and Education |
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Issue of 2025–06–16
two papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Katikar Tipayalai; Nattasit Chittavimongkhon; Panjapon Sattayanurak |
| Abstract: | In today’s world, where digital transformation offers numerous benefits, its uneven distribution—often driven by socioeconomic and demographic factors—can exacerbate social inequalities. This study explores the digital divide among vulnerable elderly populations in Thailand, drawing on survey data collected in Lampang province, a region with one of the highest proportions of older persons relative to its population. Focusing on their digital skills and access to government welfare services, we assess digital competence across five key domains: information literacy, communication, online safety, problem-solving, and confidence in engaging with online activities. The findings reveal significant gaps in digital literacy, with limited device ownership and internet access identified as critical barriers. Logistic regression analysis indicates that education, income, and personal access to technology are significant predictors of digital competence. While the results are region-specific, they provide important insights into the challenges faced by older populations in similar socioeconomic contexts. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as digital skills training and increased access to affordable technology, to promote inclusion and enhance the quality of life for older adults. These efforts are crucial for reducing disparities and ensuring equitable participation in Thailand’s increasingly digital society. Therefore, implementing policies and interventions that effectively address this divide is essential to fostering greater social and digital inclusion. |
| Keywords: | Digital disparity; Logistic regression; Older adults; Aging society; Thailand |
| JEL: | J18 O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2025–06 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pui:dpaper:234 |
| By: | Shinozaki, Shigehiro (Asian Development Bank); Miyakawa, Daisuke (Waseda University and UTokyo Economic Consulting Inc.) |
| Abstract: | Understanding the business environment and structural issues that limit growth is critical when designing an effective national policy framework for private sector development—especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Given the limited MSME data available, this paper employs probabilistic principal component analysis to develop a new way to quantitatively assess what affects MSME development nationally, by using granular firm-level panel data for 49, 565 MSMEs in Thailand as a case study. The estimation results found a potential disproportionate effect of MSME policy interventions during and after the coronavirus disease pandemic. Government assistance for MSMEs likely helped Bangkok-based firms ease the negative pandemic effects, especially in manufacturing. However, it did not help local MSMEs— regardless of sector—as their operational performance deteriorated both during and after the pandemic. This underscores the importance of using a focused approach when designing policies for MSME development to facilitate more sustainable, resilient private sector growth. |
| Keywords: | SME development; access to finance; financial inclusion; SME policy; probabilistic principal component analysis; Thailand |
| JEL: | D22 G20 L20 L50 |
| Date: | 2025–06–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbewp:0785 |