A new report proposes a Digital Financial Literacy Strategy for Finland to help Finns use digital financial products and services safely
The National Legal Services Authority, together with the Bank of Finland, and the OECD, today 16 September 2026 published the report “A Digital Financial Literacy Strategy for Finland” which proposes a framework and action plan to help Finns use digital financial products and services safely, confidently and responsibly. The report is part of a project funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by OECD in cooperation with the European Commission Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM).
The proposed strategy is based on robust evidence, including a nationally representative survey measuring financial literacy levels of 2,061 adults in Finland conducted in 2025 and consultations with public authorities, the financial sector, academia and civil society.
As digital technologies reshape the way people make payments, borrow, save and invest, new opportunities are accompanied by new risks. Consumers therefore need the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly complex digital financial landscape. Findings from the survey show that adults with higher levels of digital financial literacy are more likely to adopt sound digital financial behaviours such as comparing financial products and providers and are less likely to experience online financial scams and fraud.
While Finland benefits from near-universal internet use and widespread adoption of digital financial services, only 39% of adults reached the minimum target level of digital financial literacy, and 31% reported experiencing at least one online financial scam or fraud during the previous two years. The findings also identify several groups—including young adults, older adults, migrants, and people with lower incomes or educational attainment—as particularly vulnerable.
The proposed strategy supports Finland’s ambition of becoming the world’s most financially literate country by 2030 through the fulfilment of four strategic objectives: to strengthen adults’ digital financial literacy by promoting informed decision making, safe online behaviours and stronger digital financial knowledge; to reduce the impact of online financial scams and fraud; to promote long-term financial well-being through responsible long-term investing and avoidance of over-indebtedness; and to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders while improving impact evaluation of digital financial literacy programmes.
“Finland is one of the world’s most digital societies, yet many adults still face challenges in engaging with complex digital financial services. From online investing platforms and mobile payment services to digital lending, crypto-assets and emerging AI-powered financial tools, consumers must navigate a growing range of products. This evidence-based strategy aims to strengthen digital financial literacy, helping people make better informed decisions, avoid financial scams and frauds, and improve their financial well-being,” said Carmine Di Noia, Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the OECD.
The proposed strategy recommends about 20 actions through a co-ordinated approach involving public authorities, financial institutions, consumer organisations, employers, educational institutions and other stakeholders. The initiative promotes financial literacy through awareness campaigns, educational resources, training programmes and financial guidance, tailored to different target groups. Actions are aligned with OECD/EU financial competence frameworks and progress monitored through key performance indicators.
“While the National Legal Services Authority is proposed to co-ordinate the proposed strategy within its existing national strategy for financial literacy, its implementation will be supported through its Financial Literacy Programme Council and Stakeholder Network on Financial Literacy, reflecting the shared responsibility and commitment of relevant stakeholders for strengthening digital financial literacy in Finland,” says Marjo Kurki , Director General of The National Legal Services Authority.
“Finland’s proposed digital financial literacy strategy is a timely and important step towards empowering people to participate safely, confidently and responsibly in an increasingly digital economy. Finland’s strategy will be an important contribution to the EU financial literacy strategy promoting the common objective of consumer empowerment, resilience and inclusion. Moreover, as digitalisation continues to reshape the way people across the European Union manage their finances, it is essential that we strengthen digital financial literacy in a coordinated way, building on synergies across Member States and drawing on shared best practices,” says Judit Rozsa, Director of Technical Support Instrument (TSI) at the European Commission, SG REFORM.
Inquiries:
Mette Ranta, Senior Specialist, The National Legal Services Authority, tel. +358 295 653 098, firstname.lastname@oikeus.fi
A Digital Financial Literacy Strategy for FinlandA Digital Financial Literacy Strategy for Finland
Promoting financial literacy and the national financial literacy strategy