Survey on Italian savings: growth in asset management

The image accompanying the News on the Survey on Savings and Financial Choices of Italians 2024, portrays a man in a jacket and tie, with grey hair and beard and glasses, with one hand under his chin: he is reading a document that is being illustrated to him by a woman

Intesa Sanpaolo and Centro Einaudi present the 2024 edition of the Survey on the savings and financial choices of Italians, which reveals conduct and opinions regarding savings and investments.

The research is accompanied by a focus on asset management, of which it highlights the considerable growth prospects, as confirmed by the data:

from 2005 to 2023, global asset management jumped from 73% to 102% of the world GDP
in Europe the sector grew from 107 to 167 % of the GDP and in Italy from 70 to 95 % of the GDP, including insurance wealth (2022).

The potential for development is significant, but a focus is needed on financial education to overcome the Italians' excessive faith in cash.

The research was conducted on a sample of approximately 1,000 respondents nationwide, with face-to-face interviews carried out by BVA Doxa.

2024 Survey on the savings and financial choices of Italians - Highlights

In 2024, security remains a priority for investors: for 65%, it is the first aspect under scrutiny. Liquidity ranks second. The degree of diversification of portfolios decreases; the time horizon of investments lengthens.
95% of respondents confirm their financial independence, albeit with significant differences in gender, level of education, profession and age group.
59.4% declare that they had set aside savings in the twelve months preceding the Survey, up from 53.5% in 2022 and 54.7% in 2023.
The average share of income saved falls slightly: 11% in 2024, from 12.6% in 2023.
30% of respondents declared they were 'not at all interested' in matters relating to economics and finance, although in 2023 there was a revival of interest in economic/financial topics.
The bank remains the most popular advisor with more than 60% of mentions in all age groups, with peaks of more than two thirds between the ages of 45 and 64.
The inclination of Italian households towards bonds grows: their share in portfolios rises from 28% in 2023 to 34% in 2024.
The percentage of those trading in shares has fallen slightly: from 6% to 5.6%. Alternative investments capture limited interest: precious metals remain the most popular choice, followed by ethical and ESG investments.
Real estate accounts for 63% of the average assets of the sample. The percentage of young owners increases to 60% from 49.2% in 2023. For those who bought with a mortgage, the decline in the instalment/income ratio continued (17.3%, from around 19% in 2022).
Supplementary welfare remains low, but subscriptions by young people are growing. Insurance to cover medical expenses also increased, from 14% to 17% of the sample.

Download the 2024 Survey on the savings and financial choices of Italians (Italian only available).

Last updated 19 December 2024 at 11:46:42