The most recent analysis of Brazilian consumer behavior shows a scenario of transformation among those aged between 18 and 35, a group that has grown up in an environment connected by the internet, smartphones and social networks, which has shaped their consumption choices and the way they relate to the financial system.

According to data from the credit bureau sector, in July 2025, defaults among consumers aged 18 to 24 reached 6.48 million people, equivalent to 29.8% of the population in this age group. Between the ages of 25 and 29, the percentage reached 52.2%, showing greater exposure to credit as they advance into adulthood. In the 30 to 39 age group, the rate was 51.9%.

This pattern of behavior is linked to the significant advance in banking and the massive adoption of digital technologies. According to the World Bank's Global Findex Database 2025, among consumers aged 15 to 24, financial inclusion grew from 36.3% in 2011 to 79.9% in 2021. In the same period, credit card ownership among this age group increased from 32.5% to 70.1%. Although the international survey uses a specific age group, the default data from Brazil confirms that the digital transformation is also having a strong impact on consumers up to the age of 35.

“For younger people, PIX is becoming the natural means of transferring money, while their relationship with financial institutions is predominantly through digital channels. Physical contact with bank branches and the use of paper money are increasingly distant realities,” comments Elias Sfeir, president of the National Association of Credit Bureaus (ANBC).

The executive also points out that the reality of credit in the country challenges all age groups. “At the beginning of 2025, around four out of ten adult Brazilians had restrictions on their records. This proportion is mainly concentrated between the ages of 25 and 50, when family and professional pressures become more intense. The arc of life shows that default is the result of a combination of income and behavior, which reinforces the importance of healthy financial habits,” he adds.

The current situation reinforces the fact that younger consumers represent a growing segment in terms of consumption and credit. In addition to digital literacy, financial education is fundamental for healthy credit. This public's familiarity with the digital environment, coupled with increased access to banking products, creates a scenario in which opportunities and risks go hand in hand, demanding attention from both consumers and creditors for sustainable credit.