many in Latvia want to save money in 2026 / Article

Latvian residents are choosing caution in their financial commitments this year — most often they plan to increase or start new savings, as well as seek additional income.

The survey shows that 22% of respondents want to increase their existing savings, 17% intend to start saving, while 18% want to look for opportunities to increase their income or find additional sources of income.

Meanwhile, interest in travel and other leisure spending remains low—only 7% of respondents consider it a priority, confirming that residents are currently opting for financial caution, according to Citadele Bank.

“The beginning of the year is like a blank page for all of us — an opportunity to organise not only our daily lives, but also our attitude toward money. This is very positive, because financial security means less stress and more freedom in everyday life. Survey data also clearly shows that Latvian residents are currently focusing on practical goals, with building a safety net and financial stability in first place,” said Ginta Zemgale, Head of Baltic Customer Experience at Citadele Bank.

One in six respondents, or 16%, admit that they do not have a specific financial goal for 2026, and this trend is most pronounced among pre-retirement and retirement age groups, with 31% of residents aged 60 to 74 indicating this.

According to Zemgale, clarity of purpose is the most important prerequisite for ensuring that New Year’s resolutions do not fade away in the first few months.

“It is important to understand not only what we want to change, but also why. Is the goal a sense of security, buying a home, education, or travel? When the reason is clear, it is much easier to stick to your resolutions,” explained Zemgale.

Citadele Bank, in cooperation with the research agency Norstat, conducted a public opinion poll in November 2025, surveying more than 1,000 Latvian residents aged 18 to 74 online.

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