Educação financeira: a importância nas finanças dos cidadãos brasileiros e ações desenvolvidas pela Estratégia Nacional de Educação Financeira (ENEF)

Abstract

This paper addresses the theme of Financial Education (PE) and ENEF's strategies for the improvement of personal finances. Elaborated through a descriptive analysis of correlated studies and public databases, it is characterized by a qualitative approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures covered by the scope of the ENEF, as well as their influence on the PE of the Brazilian population. It was found that the improvement of the financial awareness of the Brazilian population in their consumption and investment decisions occurs primarily through PE, in which issues such as the inclusion of financial content in an appropriate way in school curricula, the dissemination of clear and accessible information to all social strata and the promotion of continuous PE programs are areas that demand additional attention in public policies. Effectively addressing these points represents a considerable advancement of the importance of financial literacy in all spheres of society, offering potential impact on the ability to make informed decisions and the financial well-being of citizens. Therefore, despite the strategies implemented by ENEF, there is still a long way to go to effectively reach the whole of society, regardless of its social class. Future research suggests scrutinizing the integration of PE in school curricula in an interdisciplinary way, from elementary to high school, in order to evaluate behavioral changes and decision-making related to consumption and investment at each school stage.