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Education & Training

Young people and money: building financial awareness from an early age

Published on 07 October 2025

In an interview with the Luxemburger Wort entitled “Warum junge Leute das Gefühl fürs Geld verlieren” (Why young people are losing their sense of money), Hélène Lange, Head of Business Coordination at the ABBL, and Jessica Thyrion, Financial Education Adviser at the ABBL, shared their views on the challenges facing young people in managing their personal finances, and on the importance of financial literacy as a life skill.

Summary

    A generation growing up in a digital financial world

    both more accessible and more complex than ever before. Instant credit, “Buy Now, Pay Later” offers, and investment apps have become common features of daily life — often without the guidance needed to understand the associated risks.

    “Money has become invisible. Without the physical experience of cash, young people lose touch with what they spend,” explained Hélène Lange.

    Digitalisation, social media and the abundance of online financial tools can make it harder for young consumers to maintain a clear overview of their budget and expenses. According to the experts, many teenagers have already experimented with investments or credit before mastering the basics of money management.

    The need for stronger financial education

    An ABBL Foundation survey among 14- to 21-year-olds in Luxembourg revealed that 94 % still live with their parents, 84 % do not contribute to household costs, and 77 % have no student job. At the same time, 67 % already own a credit card — yet only a small share keep a personal budget.

    “Financial education should be inclusive, involving families, schools and the wider social environment,” said Hélène Lange, who also coordinates the ABBL Foundation’s financial literacy projects.

    Jessica Thyrion, who conducts workshops in schools, noted that young people often underestimate the importance of budgeting tools, despite having easy access to mobile apps that could help them.

    Both experts welcomed the government’s commitment — confirmed in the coalition agreement — to integrate financial education across school curricula, a step they view as crucial to closing the financial knowledge gap.

    Financial education should be inclusive, involving families, schools and the wider social environment.

    Jerry Grbic

    CEO, ABBL

    Empowering future generations

    Through the Fondation ABBL pour l’éducation financière, the ABBL and its members have been promoting financial education for many years. The Foundation organises workshops in schools, such as the Woch vun de Suen, develops educational tools like the Money Odyssey app, and works closely with the Ministry of Education and various national stakeholders.

    In 2024, the Foundation reached more than 1,500 pupils and students in Luxembourg, helping them gain practical skills in budgeting, saving, and responsible spending.

    As Hélène Lange summarised: “Financial literacy is not just about numbers — it’s about confidence, independence and inclusion.”

    Source: Interview with Luxemburger Wort, “Warum junge Leute das Gefühl fürs Geld verlieren” (3 October 2025).