Many Dutch people are missing out on financial returns due to a lack of knowledge about investing. Research conducted by DVJ Insights, commissioned by DUFAS, shows that nearly half of the Dutch themselves say they lack the knowledge to invest. At the same time, a large group is worried about their financial future.
Jeroen van Wijngaarden, director of DUFAS, says: "The Netherlands is a country of savers. That is fine for a buffer, but for long-term financial security it is important to look beyond savings alone. Money in a savings account loses value over time due to inflation and low interest rates. We should therefore also point out the risks of not investing, rather than just highlighting the risks of investing."
One in three Dutch invest, while half households have money for it
Only one in three Dutch people invest, while research by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) shows that more than half of households have sufficient buffer to invest responsibly. Although 73% of the Dutch recognize that investing is more rewarding in the long term than saving, lack of knowledge is the biggest barrier to actually getting started.
Young people do become increasingly interested
Young people in particular are showing increasing interest in investing to strengthen their financial position. At the same time, they often use unreliable sources, such as so-called "finfluencers," or invest in risky cryptocurrencies. This makes them extra vulnerable. From DUFAS, we want to better educate young people by working with schools and agencies to set up an education program so that they can start investing safely and responsibly.
Key survey results in brief:
- Financial concerns vs. savings preference: More than half of the Dutch worry about their future financial security, but only 36% invest to increase it.
- High interest among young people vs. low investment knowledge: Young people are showing increasing interest in investing, but many of them have no experience.
- Benefits of investing known, but little action: 73% recognize that investing can be more rewarding than saving, but majority still stick to saving.
- Unknown pension accrual: 3 in 4 Dutch people do not know how their pension is accrued.
- Worries about future expenses: 66% of families with children worry about their children's financial future
From DUFAS, we call on the government, the industry and the public to jointly increase knowledge about investing. Only through better education can more Dutch people start investing responsibly and thus strengthen their financial position.
