# Global consumer financial and digital trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-consumer-financial-and-digital-trends
> Updated: 2026-10-25T06:03:36.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Recent data indicates evolving financial behaviors and digital habits across several regions. In South Africa, research shows significant financial stress among young adults, with nearly two-thirds reporting frequent money stress and a low capacity to cover unexpected expenses. Concurrently, in the United Kingdom, there is a noted paradox where cash usage as a percentage of total payments has declined, yet the total value of cash held by the public and overseas has risen to £94 billion, suggesting a preference for cash as a safeguard against technical or institutional failures.

In the Balkan region, digital trends show a shift toward mobile dominance. In Serbia, mobile phone ownership has reached 96.9% of households, outpacing traditional computers and television. In Croatia, studies highlight a gap in financial literacy among young adults aged 18 to 35; while many believe they manage finances well, actual knowledge levels are lower. This demographic also faces increased cybersecurity risks related to mobile payments, online shopping, and cryptocurrency investments.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Digital trends show rising mobile use and financial risks among youth

Mobile devices are replacing computers in households, while research in Croatia shows a gap between young people's financial confidence and their actual digital financial literacy.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/digital-trends-show-rising-mobile-use-and-financial-risks-among-youth

### 2026-09-26: Global financial trends show rising money stress and cash hoarding

Financial reports show rising money stress among young South Africans and a paradoxical increase in cash holdings in the UK despite the dominance of digital payments.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-financial-trends-show-rising-money-stress-and-cash-hoarding

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Cite as: Global consumer financial and digital trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-consumer-financial-and-digital-trends