France to Implement Nationwide Financial Education for 4th Graders Starting 2026

France is set to introduce a comprehensive economic, budgetary, and financial education program for all 4th-grade students across the country beginning in the 2026 school year. The initiative, named the Economic, Budgetary, and Financial Education Passport (EDUCFI), aims to equip young students with fundamental financial literacy skills to better manage budgets, understand payment methods, and grasp economic mechanisms.

The EDUCFI program, which has been partially piloted since 2019 with around ten thousand students, will now be expanded nationwide. Classes will be conducted by teachers to maintain a neutral and effective educational environment, ensuring students learn the basic rules of the economy. Education Minister Édouard Geffray stated that the program’s goal is to impart essential economic knowledge at an early stage.

The curriculum will consist of two-hour workshops in colleges and general high schools, with vocational track students receiving 12 hours of specialized training by 2027 to address their specific financial needs.

This launch is backed by key institutions including the Banque de France and the Ministries of National Education and Economy. Economy Minister Roland Lescure underscored the urgency of the initiative, highlighting growing concerns over youth encountering financial risks such as debt accumulation and scams. Supporting this need, a recent study by the OECD and Banque de France found that 57% of French citizens are taking on more debt compared to the previous year, while 38% of 18- to 24-year-olds have sought financial advice through artificial intelligence.

The program’s expansion reflects a broader effort to protect young people from increasing financial vulnerabilities by promoting early and effective financial education. The government hopes that these educational measures will help curb debt trends and improve overall financial awareness among France’s youth.