Brechas y desafíos en la educación financiera en Ecuador: un estudio del cantón Ibarra, provincia de Imbabura, año 2025

Abstract

Abstract:The research analyzes the level of financial knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of the inhabitants of the Ibarra canton. The study is descriptive, and the data were obtained through a structured survey that objectively measured the level of financial knowledge in the Ibarra canton. The results show that the participants have a sufficient level of financial literacy to understand basic financial concepts but are limited in their ability to make more complex financial decisions. The participants demonstrated behaviors focused on liquidity, the short term, and the immediate resolution of needs; they also have conservative habits, prefer the use of cash, traditional financial products, and use digital services primarily for transactions. These behaviors are related to the labor structure of the population, characterized by workers with variable incomes, which generates risk aversion and limits long-term economic planning. Furthermore, there is distrust towards financial institutions, which restricts access to and willingness to use more sophisticated products geared towards planned savings, investment, and risk protection.