El papel de la educación financiera como herramienta de inclusión social

Patricia Bachiller Baroja; Emilio Martín Vallespín

doi:10.51302/tce.2026.24635

Authors

Patricia Bachiller Baroja Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6661-1128
Emilio Martín Vallespín Associate professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4315-0642

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51302/tce.2026.24635

Keywords:

financial education, financial literacy, financial exclusion, Survey of Financial Competences, Mann-Whitney test, t-test, Spain

Abstract

Education is a key tool in the fight against both economic poverty and social exclusion. In this context, financial literacy plays a relevant role, as it enables the assessment of individuals' capacity to make informed everyday financial decisions. This study aims to analyze the level of financial competences among the Spanish population and the evolution of their knowledge of basic financial concepts, with a focus on identifying differences in behavior among groups considered a priori to be more vulnerable.

The methodology combines descriptive statistics from the Bank of Spain's Survey of Financial Competences (2016 and 2021), the Mann-Whitney U test, and a t-test to compare means by gender, age, and income levels.

The results indicate an acceptable level of basic financial literacy in Spain, with a positive trend between 2016 and 2021, although significant differences are observed by gender, age, and income group. Furthermore, a lack of mathematical skills limits the understanding of more advanced concepts that are essential for effective financial management. The study also highlights the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms to adapt financial education programs, ensuring their effectiveness in a changing context. This is crucial to provide individuals with the necessary tools to manage their finances properly.

Supporting Agencies

Este trabajo de investigación se ha realizado en el seno del Proyecto PID2024-159374NB-I00, financiado por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE; el proyecto S56-23R, financiado por el Gobierno de Aragón; y el proyecto JIUZ2024-CSJ-21, financiado por la Universidad de Zaragoza con el mecenazgo de la Fundación Ibercaja.

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Author Biographies

Patricia Bachiller Baroja, Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)

Su tesis doctoral obtuvo el Premio a la Mejor Tesis Doctoral de Carácter Socioeconómico de la Cátedra Telefónica de la Universidad de Zaragoza (2009) y fue highly commended award winner de la editorial Emerald en la categoría de Management and Governance. Por su labor investigadora, esta autora ha recibido otros ocho premios: cinco nacionales y tres internacionales. Actualmente, es directora de la Cátedra Ibercaja de Finanzas Sostenibles de la Universidad de Zaragoza.

Emilio Martín Vallespín, Associate professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain)

Imparte asignaturas del área de Economía Financiera y Contabilidad en diversos grados y másteres. Es codirector del Estudio Propio en Geopolítica Aplicada a la Empresa. Su actividad investigadora se centra en el estudio de la eficiencia y en la rendición de cuentas en las organizaciones, participando en distintos proyectos de investigación nacionales e internacionales. Algunos de sus trabajos se han publicado en revistas académicas y profesionales de reconocido prestigio.

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