The term “financial literacy” is used to describe an individual’s capacity to comprehend and utilise financial concepts in their everyday lives. These include, but are not limited to, the management of personal finances, financial planning, saving, investing, and the analysis of financial products. Notwithstanding the considerable attention it has received in the academic literature, there remain significant research gaps. The objective is to examine the research trends in the adoption of financial literacy. The methodology employed was a systematic literature review, utilising Scopus and Web of Science as the data sources, in the 2018–2024-time window. The most frequently employed instruments were identified as surveys and questionnaires. The majority of studies are situated within the geographical contexts of Asia and Europe, with a particular focus on countries such as India, China, and Ukraine. Furthermore, the most pertinent target populations are adults who have undergone business training and cancer patients. The most frequently employed models were the self-model, the technology acceptance model (TAM), and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The key variables identified were behavioral intention, perceived usefulness, and subjective norm. This study identified that the main research gap is the lack of geographic diversity in existing studies, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of financial literacy globally. The practical and theoretical implications highlight the necessity for the development of educational policies and programmes that address cultural and socioeconomic differences. Furthermore, this study puts forth an integrative model that synthesizes these theoretical frameworks and variables to inform future research and practice in the domain of financial literacy.

skills; money management; financial behavior; education; technology adoption models

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