Brazil's debt surge and digital divide strain consumers and students

Cogna Educação, Brazil's largest private higher‑education group, reported a 27% rise in operating cash flow and a 68.7% increase in free cash flow in Q1 2026, while reducing its average tuition collection period from 37 to 31 days. The company attributes the improvement to technology‑driven credit management, though it still faces an environment where 50.8% of Brazilian adults are in arrears, according to a May 2026 Serasa Experian survey.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the number of indebted consumers grew 1.42% in the first half of 2026, with the average debt per consumer rising 6.3% to R$ 5,596. The trend reflects broader national pressures from high interest rates and limited credit restructuring.

Meanwhile, digital inclusion remains uneven. The 2026 PNAD‑TIC survey shows 59.2% of Brazilian households lack a computer or tablet, and 10.7% rely solely on mobile data, limiting access to online education and public services. In Recife's Pilar community, located next to the high‑tech Porto Digital cluster, families earn about 1.5 minimum wages and struggle with inadequate internet and device access, hindering students’ participation in higher‑education programs.