Skopje, 15 April 2025 

“Only financially educated persons can make sound financial decisions pertaining to saving, borrowing and investing, that their future will depend on. Some empirical researches show that virtually half of the income inequality between people in the world stems from differences in financial literacy. On the other hand, in recent crisis years the income inequality, after decades of decline, has unfortunately increased. According to the World Bank, the poorest 40% of the world's population lost twice as much income as the richest 20%. This is the highest increase in inequality since 1990. Financial literacy is considered a powerful tool for stimulating growth and reducing poverty – according to some studies, by as much as 2 to 3 percentage points.“ This was highlighted by the Governor of the National Bank, Anita Angelovska Bezhoska, at the panel discussion "How does financial literacy shape your future?", organized by the University Student Assembly of UKIM. 

In her address, the Governor also presented the activities of the National Bank in the area of ​​financial education, including the preparation of the first national Strategy for Financial Education and Financial Inclusion, the organization of numerous lectures and workshops, the preparation of educational materials, and the inclusion of new target groups, such as people with disabilities. She emphasized that in conditions of rapid digital transformations and increased complexity of financial services, it is necessary to continue investing in knowledge. This is especially important considering the fact that according to OECD research, the financial literacy rate (56% of the maximum value) is similar to the rate in the region, but significantly lower than the rate in the European Union.

The event was dedicated to promote financial literacy among young people – a topic of essential importance for personal development, as wellas for the economic stability of a society. The panel discussion was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, the President of the ASO Council of Experts, Eli Drakulovska, Darko Sazdov, member of the MAPAS Council of Experts, and Professor Kiril Jovanovski, External Commissioner at the SEC.