Over 92% of employees with incomes over 10,000 lei per month consider saving not important

Employees in Romania do not emphasize financial education, given that those with high incomes, over 10,000 lei per month, do not consider saving a priority, while 4 out of 10 Romanians say they use up to 90% of their monthly income. Also, 60% of employed Romanians say they are moderately satisfied with how they manage their expenses, according to a study conducted by Centrul de Formare APSAP on managing financial resources by employees in Romania.

The study conducted on a sample of 1,529 employees from urban and rural areas reveals how Romanians manage their financial resources, people’s habits related to saving, investments, personal debts, and economic priorities, providing a detailed picture of their financial behavior, according to Cluj Insider.

“Our study shows that only 8% of employees with incomes over 10,000 lei per month consider saving very important. Practically, regardless of whether they come from an urban or rural environment, most employees with high incomes do not consider saving a priority. This trend may suggest an increased level of financial comfort, which makes them less concerned about prudent money management in the long term. At the same time, it may also be the result of consumption oriented towards improving the quality of life, without rigorous financial planning. However, financial education is essential, including for employees with high incomes, who, in the absence of saving and planning habits, may underestimate the importance of prudent money management. Current financial comfort cannot substitute for long-term security,” points out Bogdan-Costin Fârşirotu, president of Centrul de Formare APSAP and founder of the www.cursuri-functionari.ro platform.

How Romanians manage their money

Almost 4 in 10 Romanians say they use up to 90% of their monthly income and 17% over 90%. When they don’t have money, 74% of respondents say they give up some expenses, almost 22% use savings or a credit card, and 4% borrow money.

However, 42% say they more often choose to spend on needs than wants when they have to choose, and 60% say they are satisfied with how they manage their expenses.

Regarding investments, almost 63% of respondents say they have never invested in any financial instrument, such as capital market investments, mutual funds, cryptocurrencies or real estate.

What Romanians spend their money on: health is not a priority for most young people

Over 36% of respondents say they track their spending weekly, while 13% say they don’t track it at all. At the same time, over 71% of men said they track their spending daily or weekly, compared to 57% of women.

In terms of spending patterns, men spend the most on entertainment and clothing, while women pay more for education, health and pets. Women are also more likely to be attracted to promotions and offers – 11% of them indicated this, compared to only 5.5% of men , suggesting a heightened sensitivity (attention) to prices and short-term savings opportunities.

Health is the main financial concern for people over 60

Spending priorities differ by age. For people over 60, health is the main financial concern, highlighting a significant impact both emotionally and economically.

According to the study, 83% of these people have to allocate considerable amounts for health care, including medical treatments, periodic check-ups, and medical transportation. This situation indicates a major financial dependence on medical services, an inevitable condition that comes with aging. Life expectancy in Romania is much lower compared to the European average, with the elderly facing multiple chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

“Unfortunately, older people face considerable financial pressure in terms of health care expenses, and this aspect is both worrying and sad. Over 52% of young people between the ages of 18 and 25 prioritize spending on entertainment and recreational activities. In contrast, for older generations, the financial situation is considerably more difficult. The incomes of people over 60 rarely exceed the threshold of 3,000 lei, and a significant proportion of them is allocated to medical services,” says Anca Bașturea, an analyst at Centrul de Formare APSAP.

Comparatively, young people allocate significantly fewer financial resources to health, with only 38% of those aged 18 to 25 declaring interest in this type of expenditure. The lack of proactive behavior regarding health and the insufficiency of medical education, especially in the field of prevention, are determining factors of this situation.

Among young people, adopting a healthy lifestyle and awareness of the importance of prevention are frequently underestimated, which leads to long-term health neglect.

In terms of educational attainment, the data show that 80% of rural respondents with incomes below 2,000 lei have only completed high school, compared to 11% of urban respondents in the same income bracket. This major difference highlights an educational gap that has direct consequences on the chances of accessing better-paid jobs and, implicitly, on the development of healthy financial habits. In rural areas, limited access to university education is influenced by several factors, including the lack of infrastructure, the reduced financial resources of families, and a high school dropout rate. This context prevents young people from continuing their studies after completing high school, which significantly limits their professional prospects and employment opportunities in fields that offer competitive salaries.

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