PERFIL DO CONSUMIDOR SUPERENDIVIDADO: ANÁLISE DE DADOS DOS PROCESSOS JUDICIAIS SOBRE SUPERENDIVIDAMENTO NA REGIÃO DE PASSOS-MG (2021-2025)

Abstract

Excessive household indebtedness has become an increasingly significant issue in Brazilian society, negatively affecting individual well-being and regional development. This scenario highlights the need for further research on the phenomenon, its social and legal implications, the importance of legal protection for over-indebted consumers, and the dissemination of financial education as a preventive strategy. The general objective of this study was to analyze the profile of over-indebted individuals in order to understand the sociodemographic factors associated with this condition and its social and legal implications. Adopting a quantitative, exploratory approach and using descriptive statistical methods, data were collected from the Electronic Judicial Process System (PJe) of the Court of Justice of the State of Minas Gerais. Public court cases classified under the subject of “over-indebtedness” filed in the judicial district of Passos, Minas Gerais, between July 2021 and July 2025 were analyzed to identify the particular characteristics of the phenomenon in the region. The findings revealed a predominance of middle- and upper-middle-income consumers with high levels of indebtedness, mainly concentrated in payroll-deductible loans and personal loans, indicating a pattern of over-indebtedness more closely associated with the structure of the credit market and the dynamics of the consumer society than with insufficient income to meet basic needs. The research also resulted in the development of an educational booklet aimed at preventing over-indebtedness and providing guidance to over-indebted consumers. The findings may contribute to the formulation of public policies and financial education strategies designed to address over-indebtedness and promote regional development.

Keywords: Over-indebtedness; Indebtedness; Regional Development; Consumer Law.