In average Belgians invests €186 in savings per month per person. This emerges today from an investigation led by leading organisations Wikifin and the FSMA (the Financial Services and Markets Authority).
They have conducted this in partnership with the newspapers L'Echo and De Tijd, as well as RTBF and Radio 1.
The total, all the same, remains an average, as one in three Belgians have put nothing aside during the last 12 months. If you only take account of savers, the total is €326.50.
The lack of financial options is the main reason for this absence of savings (66%), followed by the perception that savings provide a nil return (21%) and that there will be time to invest in savings later on (7%).
Those aged 25-34 generally invest the most in savings, whereas those aged 35-44 and the over 65s are the least likely to squirrel monies away.
Payments into a savings account remain the norm (74% of savers resort to this), whereas one in four Belgians are also in favour of setting up a pension plan.
Predominantly, Belgian citizens consider that they they do not have enough set aside. However, the tendency gradually reverses with age. Ideally, the average Belgian would like to have twice his net household income to be able to calmly face unexpected expenses, which remains the main motivation for saving.
The investigation was completed between January 23rd and February 7th, 2017, comprising a representative sample of 1,002 individuals. The findings were explained on Monday, upon the opening of Global Money Week.
The Brussels Times
