Brechas y desafíos en la educación financiera en Ecuador: un estudio regional en el Cantón Olmedo, año 2025

Abstract

Abstract: The present research aims to analyze the level of financial education of the population of the Olmedo canton, considering knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward money management, in order to identify gaps and propose improvement strategies. The study was conducted under a quantitative, descriptive approach, using a survey as the data collection technique and a structured questionnaire based on the financial capability standards of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), applied to a sample of 98 adult residents of the canton. The results show limitations in the knowledge of basic financial concepts, as less than 40% demonstrate adequate understanding of topics such as interest, inflation, and financial planning. Regarding financial behavior, 47.42% reported having saved money during the last twelve months, while only 23.71% indicated having the ability to cover an unexpected expense without going into debt. Additionally, weaknesses were identified in long-term financial planning, particularly in relation to retirement, since more than 50% expressed insecurity or lack of knowledge about their future financial preparedness. These findings reveal internal gaps that require local educational actions.