Educação financeira: um estudo do nível de alfabetização financeira dos servidores docentes do Instituto Federal do Sul de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Considering the current expansion of the financial market and the various options of products and services available, financial education becomes essential for individuals to make sensible decisions regarding their finances. However, the lack of financial knowledge and low literacy in this area can lead to problems such as indebtedness and difficulties in resource management. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the level of financial literacy and its relationships with the socioeconomic and demographic profile and financial behavior of the teaching staff of the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Southern Minas Gerais (IFSULDEMINAS). The relevance of this study lies in the importance of financial knowledge in making appropriate decisions related to consumption, investment, and resource management. To achieve this, a scientific study with a quantitative and descriptive approach was conducted, using a non-probabilistic convenience sample through a survey-based opinion research, employing a structured questionnaire. The hypotheses of this work were tested using binary logistic regression models. The results of this research showed that the majority of the participating teachers in this study have a high level of financial literacy (60.86%). The tested hypotheses were not confirmed that gender, age group, household and individual income, and the fact of having taken economics and finance courses during their higher education had a significant relationship with the level of financial literacy. Despite the results showing that the majority of teachers have a high level of financial literacy, it is noteworthy that a portion still has not reached this level, emphasizing the importance of the participation of these professionals in the training course proposed in this work. This can increase the contribution to the introduction of this theme in the institution, along with students and society in general. This research can also serve as a basis for future studies on financial literacy.