Belgians turn to investing as low savings rates bite
More Belgians are choosing to invest rather than leave their money in savings accounts, according to new research by asset manager BlackRock and data firm YouGov. The study, which surveyed 40,000 people in 15 countries, shows that 44 per cent of Belgian investors began investing to earn higher returns than traditional savings can offer.
Younger generations are driving the shift. Gen Z and young millennials say they started investing partly out of fear of missing out, after seeing others grow their wealth. For 26 per cent of them, this is the main reason to invest, more than double the rate among over-35s.
A quarter of all respondents began investing on the advice of a professional, while 14 per cent were encouraged by family or friends.
Despite growing interest, Europeans still hold around 14 trillion euros in savings accounts.
Yet investment products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are becoming increasingly popular. Since 2022, the number of ETF investors in Europe has risen by almost 70 per cent to 32.8 million. ETFs are now the continent’s third most-used investment product.
Belgium has about 800,000 ETF investors, a rise of 43 per cent since early 2022. Nearly 40 per cent of those investors are under 35. Growth is strongest among women and people aged 25 to 44.
Still, awareness remains low: almost half of Belgian adults have never heard of ETFs, and 24 per cent know the term but not what it means.
Euronext Brussels Stock Exchange © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
Related news
