On average, one in two French people saves more than 3,000 euros a year

To protect themselves and despite inflation, half of them manage to set aside more than 3,000 euros a year, according to a study conducted by Tudigo and Madeinvote to shed light on trends, behaviors, and outlooks regarding savings in France.

86% of French people save money every year. And nearly 50% of the population manages to set aside savings every month. For the 46% who manage to save every month, that amounts to €260 per month—or €3,120 over the course of a year, which is more than twice the minimum wage. 
 

It is those with the highest incomes (over €50,000 per month) who manage to set aside the most each month—€600 or more. In terms of age, the 50–64 age group saves the least, on average, with an average monthly savings amount of €229. For those under 35, €270 is set aside each month—€10 more than the national average.
 

In particular, the French use their savings to build an emergency fund, finance their vacations, or ensure financial security in retirement—especially those aged 65 and older. Younger people, on the other hand, save each month for a variety of reasons. For 20% of them, saving is aimed at purchasing expensive items, while 7% use their savings to launch a career project.

In their daily lives, the French tend to be more like “ants” than “grasshoppers.” Indeed, in the current difficult economic climate, the French have seen their personal finances directly affected. Over the past few months, more than 8 out of 10 French people have had to adjust their spending. With inflation—and in particular the rising prices of basic necessities—the French have had to reevaluate their priorities.

The result? They prioritize financial security and a cautious approach to managing their money. In fact, 54% of French people view investing or putting their money to work primarily as a way to increase their income, while 52% see it as a way to grow their capital. Beyond this motivation, investing provides protection against inflation for nearly 47% of them, especially among our seniors (age 65 and older).

When the French consider a potential investment, they see it first and foremost as a financial benefit (for more than half of them). Although new opportunities for strategic investments have emerged in recent years, they remain reluctant to take risks when it comes to investing. In fact, 5 out of 10 French people are hesitant at the very idea of investing their money. As a result, they prefer safer and more familiar investment options. 
 

Bank investments are the most popular choice among the French; 65% of the population uses them. Older adults are particularly fond of them: 89% of them use these investments because they see the following benefits, among others: security, ease of access, transparency, and clarity.

Next, real estate investing, although widely recognized, is significantly less common (20%), as is investing in publicly traded companies (18%). Investments in the private market and in cryptocurrencies are the least familiar and least utilized (8% and 10%, respectively), but investments in the private market have a higher conversion rate among those who are familiar with them. This type of investment is often considered to be reserved for industry experts.

“We need to carry out a major educational effort in the coming years to demonstrate the accessibility of this financial product. Too many French people still believe that investing in unlisted companies is reserved for the financial elite. Yet platforms like Tudigo now allow anyone to invest in French companies, starting at 1,000 euros. Furthermore, this investment opportunity—which is still relatively unknown—remains the most profitable asset class on the market. In fact, our investors can expect an average annual return of 12.2% from unlisted companies, which significantly outperforms real estate or the CAC 40,” notes Alexandre Laing, co-founder of Tudigo.

If they were to invest in unlisted securities, 6 out of 10 French people would allocate 20% or less of their savings to such investments. Financial returns would be the main motivation for 31% of them. Example: Given the option to invest €10,000, half of the portfolio would be allocated to a bank investment product. Real estate would then account for 3/10 of the portfolio, far ahead of investments in listed or unlisted companies, or in cryptocurrency, which would account for roughly 1/10 of the remaining portfolio.

For the French, investing in unlisted companies offers certain benefits: giving their savings a purpose (30%), enjoying tax benefits (29%), and diversifying their portfolio (23%).

Furthermore, although saving remains a deeply ingrained financial habit among the French, changing economic conditions, policies, and generational attitudes can influence how individuals approach managing their money. Traditional investments remain the norm, but new, riskier, and more profitable investment options—such as unlisted securities—are emerging.

In the collective unconscious, investors are primarily perceived as forward-thinking and bold. In reality, only 3 out of 10 French people show a strong interest in investing. Those under 35 are the most interested in the topic and are more knowledgeable in this area—31% consider themselves “experts.”