Alfabetização financeira: um estudo sobre as decisões financeiras de discentes universitários da cidade de Chapecó - SC

Abstract

Studies focused on personal finance have intensified, especially when related to financial decisions. Scientific research seeks to understand, through human behavior, how consumption choices and financial products and services available on the market affect each individual's ability to make coherent financial decisions. In this context, the importance of financial literacy among young university students entering the job market stands out. Thus, this research sought to assess the level of financial literacy among university students in western Santa Catarina. This is a quantitative and descriptive study, conducted through a survey applied to 116 students from three universities located in Chapecó, Santa Catarina. The data collection instrument adopted was that proposed by Potrich, Vieira, Kirch (2016) using the standardized scale developed by the authors to classify and measure the level of financial literacy. The results reveal that 65.52% of students had a high level of financial literacy. A statistically significant difference was found between gender and level of financial literacy, with better performance observed among male students. A significant difference was also identified in relation to average individual income, with the post-hoc test confirming a positive association only for the R5 income bracket (from R$12,144.00 to R$18,216.00). As a theoretical contribution, the study expands the empirical evidence on financial literacy in the Brazilian university context. In the practical field, the findings provide support for the formulation of financial education policies and programs aimed at the university public, contributing to the strengthening of financial decision-making and local economic development. It is concluded that students with a higher level of financial literacy tend to have greater planning skills and make more consistent decisions.