Savings levels improve as the younger generation and women boost Britain's savings

• 25-34 year olds prove that savings goals are the key to financial success
• Britons are now saving 7.17% of their income each month, £90 in real terms

NS&I’s latest Quarterly Savings Survey shows that there has been a turnaround in savings levels since last quarter, however there is still some way to go before they return to the levels seen in Winter 2011/12. Britons are now saving 7.17% of their income each month, £90 in real terms, up from 7.08% in the previous quarter when savings reached their lowest level in over a year. It is women and those in their late twenties and early thirties who are driving this uplift in savings.

Twenty and thirty-something savers (25-34 year-olds) are saving significantly more than the national average, putting away 8% of their income each month. This means £103 in real terms, and is a rise from 7.24% in the previous quarter. Women are also leading the way when it comes to setting aside savings each month. As a percentage of income, women are saving 7.65% of their monthly earnings compared to 6.82% for men. Women are putting away more now than in the previous quarter (7.36%) as well as more than this time last year (7.51%).

NS&I’s findings suggest that goals are the key driving factor for the success of younger savers. 45% of 25-34 year-old savers are using goals to motivate themselves to put money away each month, compared to just over a quarter (27%) of British savers. Female savers aged 25-34 years are proving themselves to be the best goal setters, with half (50%) using this savings strategy compared to two fifths (41%) of male savers the same age.

John Prout, NS&I Retail Customer Director said:

“It is encouraging to see this improvement in savings over recent months, and it’s particularly good to see such motivation from younger people. Setting goals is an effective way to get into a regular savings habit. Not only do they encourage people to stay motivated to save, they provide a real sense of achievement once a goal has been reached.”

NS&I’s research also identified pockets of the nation which are setting a good savings example to the rest of Britain:

• Scotland is saving above the national average, with Scots setting aside 7.35% of their income each month, or £95 in real terms.
• Welsh people are putting even more away as a percentage of income, saving 7.70% each month. This equates to £87 in real terms and is a significant rise from 4.95% (£57) in the previous quarter and 6.08% (£75) this time last year.
• Those living in East Anglia are saving 7.74% (£90) of their income each month, a rise from 5.49% (£68) in the previous quarter. 
• Residents of Greater London are also saving above the national average, putting away an average of 8.24% (£115) of their income each month, a rise from 7.44% (£106) in the previous quarter.

John Prout, NS&I Retail Customer Director continued:

“While there are good signs that savings may be on the way up, there is still a long way to go. One easy way of staying on top of your savings goals is to manage your money online. This way you can keep abreast of your finances at a time and place that’s convenient for you.”

Savings ideas including further information on personal finance are available in the You and your money section on nsandi.com.

About this research

The most recent NS&I Savings Survey was conducted by TNS, among 2,448 British adults aged 16+ between 16 August and 23 August 2012. We also refer to NS&I Savings Surveys with data collected by TNS from 4 May to 23 May 2012, among 2,444 British adults aged 16+ and with data collected by TNS from 28 July to 1 August 2011, among 2,580 British adults aged 16+. The survey has been running every quarter since winter 2004, and is a snapshot of how the nation is saving.

About NS&I

NS&I is one of the UK's largest financial providers with over 26 million customers and over £100 billion invested. All products offer 100% security, because NS&I is backed by HM Treasury. NS&I products are available over the telephone, internet, post and by standing order.