Provident Barometer: Poles plan increased savings in 2025

According to the latest Provident Barometer survey, nearly 51% of Poles intend to save more frequently in 2025, marking a proactive shift in financial planning. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, with 85.1% of individuals aged 18-24 indicating plans to bolster their savings.

The survey revealed that 47.5% of Poles are planning higher expenditures in 2025, a slight decrease from 51.7% the previous year. Nearly half of respondents (45.1%) plan to rely on savings to finance major expenses, a strategy that is especially prevalent among younger people and seniors, with 57.7% and 56.2% respectively turning to their savings. Around 24.3% plan to fund expenditures from current income, while others are considering loans (8.4%), installment plans (7.4%), or even deferred payment services (0.7%).

Daily living costs, such as bills and groceries, topped the list of planned expenses for 2025, surpassing last year’s focus on holiday travel. About one-third of respondents cited these as their primary budgetary concern. Renovations came in second at 29.8%, closely followed by holiday trips at 29.7%.

The survey indicates a cautious outlook for 2025, with more than half of Poles (53%) not expecting an improvement in their financial situation. Optimism is higher among the youngest respondents, with 56.3% of those aged 18-24 expecting an increase in their financial resources. Men are also slightly more optimistic than women, with 34.1% of male respondents predicting better finances compared to 27.5% of women.

These tempered financial expectations are motivating Poles to adopt cost-cutting measures and plan their spending more carefully. A significant portion of the younger demographic is focusing on expenses such as car purchases, while those aged 54-64 prioritize home renovations.

In 2025, 47.1% of respondents plan to reduce unnecessary expenses, reflecting a year-on-year increase of two percentage points. About 29.6% aim to better plan their household budgets, while 21.6% seek to maintain their current financial status. Other financial goals include finding additional income sources (18%), debt repayment (17.5%), and taking advantage of sales (17%).

Dining out and food delivery are among the top areas where Poles plan to cut back, with 42.4% of respondents—more men (46%) than women (39%)—intending to reduce these expenditures. Additionally, 30.2% aim to lower their daily expenses, such as grocery bills. Other planned reductions include savings on utilities (28.7%), entertainment and culture (28.6%), clothing and footwear (28.1%), and travel (26.9%). Gym memberships and sports activities may also see cuts, with nearly one in five respondents intending to forgo these expenses.

Methodology: The Provident Barometer is a recurring survey designed to analyze and understand the financial behaviors of Polish consumers. The December 2024 edition was conducted by Danae sp. z o.o. using the CAWI method, surveying a representative sample of 1,000 adult Poles.

As Poles look toward 2025, their plans reflect a mix of caution and proactive financial management, signaling a commitment to greater savings and prudent spending.

Source: Provident Barometer and ISBnews