What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate how well financial literacy is integrated into economics education curricula in Indonesia.

June 7, 2026Open Access

Are We Truly Preparing Students for Financial Success? Insights from Economic Education Curricula in Indonesia

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate how well financial literacy is integrated into economics education curricula in Indonesia.
Qualitative content analysis of economics education curricula in Indonesia.
Data collected through curriculum document reviews, educator interviews, and student surveys.
Analysis focused on the extent of financial literacy integration and perceptions of curriculum effectiveness.
Fundamental topics like budgeting and savings are covered, but significant areas like risk management and investment diversification are lacking.
Students voiced a strong desire for experiential learning opportunities, such as case studies and industry collaboration.
There is a noticeable gap between the theoretical instruction provided and the practical skills needed for real-world financial decision-making.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Financial literacy is an essential competency for university students, especially those in economics education programs, as it supports effective money management and responsible decision-making. However, higher education curricula in Indonesia still emphasize theoretical aspects over practical financial skills, raising concerns about whether graduates are adequately prepared for financial challenges. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative content analysis to evaluate the integration of financial literacy within economics education curricula in Indonesia. Data were collected through curriculum document reviews, semi-structured interviews with economics educators, and student surveys. The analysis focused on identifying the extent of financial literacy integration and perceptions of curriculum effectiveness. RESULTS: The findings indicate that while fundamental topics such as budgeting and savings are widely covered, several critical competencies including risk management, investment diversification, insurance literacy, and digital financial tools remain insufficiently integrated into the curriculum. Students expressed a strong demand for more experiential learning approaches, such as case studies, financial simulations, and collaboration with industry partners. The results highlight a gap between theoretical instruction and the practical competencies required for effective financial decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that strengthening economics education curricula requires the integration of applied financial literacy training, digital financial education, and industry collaboration to better prepare students for personal and professional financial challenges. While this research provides valuable insights, its qualitative scope presents limitations. Future studies with broader institutional coverage and quantitative approaches are recommended to generate more generalizable findings.

Read Full Paperexternally

Ask AI

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper