Survey: Czechs favor real estate investments, followed by savings accounts

A new survey reveals that the majority of Czechs prefer investing in real estate as their top choice for saving or growing their money. According to the IBRS Savings Barometer conducted in August for Golden Gate, 80 percent of respondents view owning a house or apartment as the most attractive investment option. Close behind, 72 percent of Czechs favor land ownership, while 54 percent prefer traditional savings accounts.

The survey, which polled 1,000 Czechs over the age of 16, shows a continued strong preference for real estate. Ownership of homes or apartments saw a one percentage point increase compared to last year, reflecting the sustained appeal of property investments. However, the appeal of land ownership and savings accounts dropped by one percentage point each.

Investments in precious metals remain attractive to 49 percent of Czechs, although interest in these assets has declined slightly, down by two percentage points. “Precious metals, particularly gold, are still considered a reliable way to preserve purchasing power in the long term,” said Pavel Řihák, customer care manager at Golden Gate. He added that the price of gold has surged by 28 percent this year, reaching a record high of over $2,600 per ounce.

Shift in Investment Preferences

The most significant change in recent years has been the growing interest in stocks and bonds. Currently, 36 percent of Czechs consider these financial instruments attractive, marking an 11-point increase since 2019. Savings accounts have also gained popularity, with a 10-point rise to 54 percent.

In contrast, support for building savings has halved over the last five years, dropping to 28 percent. Cryptocurrencies have seen a steep decline in popularity, with only 17 percent of respondents expressing interest, down from 32 percent in 2021.

“The drop in cryptocurrency popularity shows that Bitcoin is not perceived as a safe haven like gold during times of crisis,” said Martin Stránský, director of Bit.plus. “Despite this, there is still a market for cryptocurrency buyers and speculators.”

As Czechs continue to navigate an evolving financial landscape, real estate remains their preferred investment, while traditional savings accounts and precious metals provide familiar options for securing their wealth.

Source: IBRS and CTK