K&H: What do young people save for and how much savings do they have?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 01. 26. 10:19

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The young generation is characterized by a dual saving attitude: while 55 percent have some kind of reserve, the remaining 45 percent currently have no money set aside. The attitude towards saving is clearly demonstrated by the fact that 24 percent of them do not usually save at all, and 28 percent do so irregularly or only when they receive a larger amount. The more conscious ones, a third of twenty-year-olds, save at the beginning of the month, and 14 percent accumulate the remaining amount at the end of the month. Thus, members of this age group – including those who have no savings – have an average of 807 thousand forints in saved reserves and save primarily for travel and housing. Based on surveys conducted by the K&H Youth Index for more than ten years, this is another record high amount.

The saving behavior of young people shows a mixed pattern, according to the K&H Youth Index. In the last quarter of last year, the largest group was those who regularly save at the beginning of the month: this is typical for 34 percent of the 19-29 year-olds surveyed. In addition, 14 percent regularly save the amount remaining at the end of the month, while 12 percent believe that they save regularly, but not on a monthly basis. Savings appear more occasionally among those who can only save when they have a larger amount: this is the response of 16 percent of young people. The other side of the coin is that 24 percent do not save in any form.

807 thousand forints is the average

Examining the existence of savings, the survey shows that 55 percent of young people have savings, and 45 percent do not. This ratio represents a minimal change compared to the 53 percent measured in the third quarter of 2025 and the 56 percent in 2023. At the same time, the figures show a significant improvement compared to the rate of just over 50 percent measured at the end of 2023, which was a very high inflation environment. Among those with savings, 24 percent use a bank savings product, while 31 percent indicated that they do not save in a bank form, but have money set aside. Members of this age group have an average of 807 thousand forints in savings, including those who do not have money set aside. The K&H youth index has not shown such a high amount so far, and the savings of 807 thousand forints are considered a record. If we consider only the average of those with savings, we get an amount of 1 million 465 thousand forints.

However, plans related to the money set aside are still strongly present among young people with savings: travel and buying a home are among the most frequently mentioned goals. Many treat savings as a general financial reserve. Based on the overall picture of the survey, a significant portion of young people already have the intention and practice of saving, but the proportion of “dropouts” remains high, which makes it particularly important to encourage financial awareness and regular savings.

K&H Youth Index

The K&H Youth Index examines the satisfaction and future expectations of young people aged 19-29 – including in relation to housing, work, advancement opportunities, education, health, and family – and was commissioned by the K&H Foundation for a Healthy Society. The composition of the sample represents the composition of the urban population aged 19-29 in Hungary based on gender, age group, region, settlement type, completed education, and economic activity. 300 people participated in the survey, with a maximum margin of error of +/- 5.7 percent. The data collection took place between October 27 and November 2, 2025.