Household wealth and savings trends in Benelux

Recent data highlights demographic and financial trends regarding household wealth and savings in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In Belgium, the average household size has decreased to 2.24 persons, a decline from 2.42 thirty years ago. While the median wealth of Belgian households rose to 286,250 euros in 2025—a 3.3 percent nominal increase—real wealth growth was estimated at only 0.9 percent after adjusting for inflation. To enter the top 10% of Belgian households, a net wealth of €995,000 is required, which is more than triple the median.

By late 2025, Belgian financial behavior began shifting away from traditional bank savings toward investment funds, stocks, and bonds. Although Belgians maintain one of the highest net financial wealth levels in the Eurozone, averaging €257,000 per household, the financial savings rate has dropped to approximately 4% of disposable income, below the Eurozone average of 6%.

Historically, Belgian savings have been heavily concentrated in real estate, accounting for roughly 70% of savings. However, the proportion of liquid assets held in investment funds has grown to 34% as citizens seek market-based growth. Despite this, risk aversion, taxation, and a lack of financial knowledge remain barriers. An ING study suggests that if Belgians had invested a quarter of their new deposits into funds over the last thirty years, their financial wealth would be €83.3 billion higher than current levels.

In the Netherlands, total household bank balances reached €600.5 billion by the end of 2024. While the average Dutch household held €54,700 in savings, the median figure was significantly lower at less than €21,500. Savings levels vary by age, with the 25-34 age group holding a median of approximately €9,800 compared to €23,300 for the 45-55 age group.