Survey: 78 percent Poles have savings

78 percent Poles have money saved – according to the “Savings Barometer 2023” study, conducted on behalf of the National Debt Register (KRD). The most popular way of saving is to keep money in an interest-bearing bank account – it was indicated.

The report on the “Savings Barometer 2023” study noted that 78 percent Poles have money saved up, but not everyone in this group accumulates it for fear of the negative consequences of inflation, or rather to have a “financial cushion” for the future. The value of these funds varies greatly. Every fourth consumer has modest amounts aside, not exceeding PLN 5,000. zloty. However, 23 percent accumulated over 20 thousand zloty.

As reported, the most popular way for Poles to multiply their savings is to keep them in an interest-bearing bank account. It was indicated that almost 1/3 of the respondents did so. 28 percent makes interest-bearing deposits. Every 10th person invests in stocks and bonds, 9%. respondents in currencies, and 7 percent into gold. In turn, 5 percent compatriots invest their savings in real estate and the same number in cryptocurrencies.

It was added that almost 40 percent Poles do not increase their savings at all, relying on what they already have and not taking any action to increase the amounts they have. It was noted that these are mainly people who have little accumulated cash – as many as 65% of them declare that they do not accumulate money. subjects. Consumers who have larger amounts, i.e. above PLN 20,000, are more active in increasing their savings. zloty. It has been noticed that people with average savings are more willing to invest in cryptocurrencies than those with small or large ones.

According to the latest available data from the Central Statistical Office, the average salary in the third quarter of 2023 was PLN 7,194. It was noted that compared to the previous quarter it increased by 2.7 percent, and compared to the previous year – by 11.02 percent. It was noted that in December 2023, the consumer price index, the main measure of inflation in Poland, increased by 6.2%. compared to the same month of the previous year, the least since September 2021. Goods increased in price by 5.5%, but services increased by as much as 8.2%.

As informed by the president of KRD, Adam Łącki, the increase in wages, although positive from the employees’ point of view, did not completely eliminate the negative effects of inflation. “Therefore, despite the rising costs of living, many people try to save even symbolic amounts on a regular basis. Nearly half of Poles accumulate savings to protect themselves against the effects of inflation. People who, regardless of their motivation, collect money most often save from PLN 251 to 500, and every fifth person can spend from PLN 501 to 1,000,” he noted.

Łącki added that the value of overdue financial liabilities in KRD is gradually decreasing, but this is proof that consumers’ incomes are increasing enough that they have the means to repay their debts. “We can therefore expect that the percentage of those who do not save because they have nothing to save will decrease.”

KRD reports that the average consumer debt is currently PLN 20.5 thousand. PLN, and the total arrears amount to PLN 44.2 billion. In 2023, a record number of consumer bankruptcies were recorded, i.e. as many as 21,000, which is an unprecedented result in history. This year, according to KRD experts, may bring a slight decrease in debt. There is already a noticeable increase in the purchasing power of wages, and recently wage increases have exceeded the rate of inflation. This gives hope that the situation will improve. (PAP)

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