Indonesia’s young adults are entering adulthood in a digital-first world where money moves at the speed of a tap, and financial choices are shaped by apps, influencers, and algorithms. But many youth lack the tools to navigate this terrain with confidence. As access to financial products grows, the ability to use them lags, putting an entire generation at risk of financial vulnerability.
Our latest report, “Empowering the Next Generation: A Path to Financial Confidence for Indonesian Youth,” explores this challenge through research with 1,500+ students and 100+ stakeholders. It goes beyond traditional financial literacy to examine the mindsets, habits, and social influences that shape real-world behavior.
The findings are clear. Emergency savings are often depleted for impulse purchases. Online credit is used without understanding repayment risks. Young women save more but hesitate to borrow or invest; young men show greater risk-taking behavior, often without assessing consequences.
These trends point to a wider gap in Digital Financial Capability (DFC), the confidence and behavioral skills to manage money well in a digital economy.
Our report calls for a coordinated national effort: one that educates, embeds, and evaluates what works.
It includes:
- A behavioral snapshot of youth financial habits in Indonesia
- Gendered insights into saving, borrowing, and risk-taking
- A practical DFC checklist and action tools
- Design principles to guide future policy, curriculum, and partnerships
