THE RELEVANCE OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION: STRUCTURAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Abstract

Financial education has become an increasingly important policy priority worldwide, yet its growing relevance extends beyond persistent deficits in financial literacy. This paper argues that the need to invest in effective financial education is driven by a combination of structural and cultural transformations that have reshaped the contexts in which individuals make financial decisions. Drawing on international literature review, with particular attention to Italy and Romania, the paper identifies and discusses the main factors underlying this trend. The paper argues that these developments require a broader conception of financial education that goes beyond the transmission of technical knowledge to integrate critical thinking, digital literacy, risk awareness, and civic competence. It concludes by outlining policy implications for education systems and public institutions, advocating cross-curricular approaches, learner-centred pedagogies, and stronger links between financial education, consumer protection, financial inclusion, and responsible digital innovation to foster social inclusion, economic resilience, and informed participation in contemporary society.