Study:Generation Z - connected, informed and mindful of the impact of economic decisions on everyday life

  Financial education is no longer merely a money management skill for members of Generation Z, but rather a means of navigating an increasingly complex economic and digital environment. However, 85% of young people say they need more financial education to feel better prepared for the future, according to the results of a study on the lives of Generation Z, both students and non-students, in Romania.According to the study, 62% of students consider themselves financially well-informed, 86% say they can identify fake news, and 81% can recognise online fraud attempts, reflecting a stronger ability to filter information compared with previous generations. Eighty-one percent of students use e-banking services, compared with 71% of non-students, the study launched by BRD - Groupe Societe Generale and the Friends For Friends Foundation reveals. The research analyses how young people relate to education, the labour market, financial literacy, emigration, mental health, technology, and personal life, offering an up-to-date picture of Generation Z's behaviours and aspirations."Generation Z is connected, informed, and aware of the impact economic decisions have on everyday life. The study highlights this rapid maturity and the way their values - responsibility, balance, and entrepreneurial spirit - shape a new perspective on education, career, and their relationship with society," the study notes.The research also shows that young Romanians are drawn to dynamic fields that offer autonomy and growth potential. IT remains their first choice for a stable and well-paid career, while entrepreneurship is favoured by 40% of respondents as a professional option. At the same time, 85% of young people say they would need more financial education to feel better prepared for the future, confirming an increasing interest in economic independence and understanding the mechanisms that support personal initiative."Unlike previous years, young Romanians say they are more focused on macro-social topics - political instability, the risks of war, and the rise of extremism - than on the lack of jobs. Fifty-eight percent of students follow political changes in Romania closely, while 14% pay attention to international developments, showing a greater openness towards the global context. Meanwhile, online media, podcasts, and AI-based platforms have become their main sources of information, while TikTok and Facebook are losing ground, signalling a more mature approach to selecting and consuming information," the study underlines.For most respondents, university remains a necessary step for accessing better-paid jobs and a useful tool for gaining respect and social stability. Nevertheless, over half of students (57%) believe that higher education places too much emphasis on theory and too little on practical skills. The findings show that students wish for a stronger link between university and the labour market."Young people are a strategic priority for BRD, as part of our commitment to meeting the needs of all our clients. BRD's investments in education aim to create real opportunities for learning and development. Through programmes such as Mindcraft Academy, through the BRD HUB network, or through partnerships with universities and start-up accelerators, we want to provide young people with resources, guidance, and the freedom to build their own path. This research helps us understand how they think, what concerns them, and how we can be a relevant partner in their development - not only financially, but also personally and professionally," said Flavia Popa, Secretary General of BRD - Groupe Societe Generale.In his turn, Vlad Tausance, Project Manager of Mindcraft Academy within the Friends For Friends Foundation, said that the study helps"'move beyond clichés and better understand students and young people in Romania: a generation both worried and pragmatic, curious yet cautious, confident and capable of critical thinking.""Student in Romania. Young in Romania" is a study conducted as part of the Mindcraft Academy programme, developed by the Friends For Friends Foundation with the strategic support of BRD - Groupe Societe Generale.The survey data were collected between 6 and 29 June 2025, from a representative sample of 1,001 people aged 18-25 across Romania. The maximum margin of error is ?3.1%, with a confidence level of 95%. The sample was validated based on official data from the National Institute of Statistics, and the research was coordinated by Associate Professor Dr Darie Cristea from the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest.Mindcraft Academy is a programme developed by the Friends For Friends Foundation, initiated and funded by BRD - Groupe Societe Generale, with the aim of creating consistent and constructive dialogue with Romanian university students. The programme is built around three pillars: the "Student in Romania. Young in Romania" research, events held in BRD HUBs, and the recurring Leadership Academy and Big Decision Day events.