The National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia published remarks by Governor Anita Angelovska-Bezhoska from a Global Money Week meeting with the Union of Secondary School Students, warning young people not to rely on unverified online sources for financial advice and stressing that formal financial education should not be replaced by guidance from social media “influencers”. She argued that rapid changes in the financial system need to be matched by changes in the education system so young people can make informed decisions and manage resources prudently. To illustrate the trend, she cited research indicating that 31% of 18–21 year-olds in the United Kingdom rely on internet sources, including influencers, for financial guidance, with 25% relying mainly on TikTok. She also referenced INFE-OECD financial literacy measurements for North Macedonia showing 18–29 year-olds scoring 54% of total points for financial knowledge, slightly below the regional average of 56%, alongside gaps versus the European Union in account ownership (74% vs 95% in the euro area in 2021), card ownership (52% vs 90%), savings (50% vs 82%) and digital payments (64% vs 93%), while noting that the gaps in savings and digital payments have narrowed since 2014. Angelovska-Bezhoska framed these results as a basis for intensified early-age financial education, calling for joint efforts by financial regulators, the private financial sector and educational institutions.

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