Consumer savings trends show rising pressure in Austria and security focus in Serbia

Recent financial surveys in Austria and Serbia highlight diverging trends in consumer savings and investment behaviors.

In Austria, an Imas study conducted for Erste Bank and Sparkassen reveals that 33 percent of citizens can no longer set money aside for savings, a four percentage point increase from last year. The average monthly savings amount has dropped to 306 euros, which, when adjusted for inflation, aligns with 2016 levels. There is a notable gender gap in savings, with men setting aside an average of 384 euros compared to 227 euros for women. While traditional savings accounts remain the most popular method at 70 percent, interest in securities (40 percent) and gold (30 percent) is rising.

In Serbia, research by M2S Research shows that 66 percent of adults save money regularly or occasionally, though only 16 percent are currently investing. The primary motivation for both saving and investing in Serbia is financial security rather than wealth maximization, with 75 percent of savers prioritizing funds for unforeseen emergencies. The investment market in Serbia is relatively young, as 56 percent of current investors began within the last five years.