French households are saving more effectively, but many still hesitate to invest. According to the French Banking Federation, the household savings rate in France reached about 17.5% in 2025. A May 2026 OpinionWay survey for Saxo suggests that many people feel they are managing their savings better than before, yet a significant share still struggles to identify the most suitable ways to make their money grow.
The idea of “idle savings” appears to be fading in public perception. In the survey, 69% of respondents said they do not have money sitting unused in their accounts, up 14 points from a previous reading. This suggests that more people believe they are putting their money to work more efficiently. However, confidence varies sharply by age. People aged 50 to 64 are the most self-assured, with 74% saying they organize their savings well. Younger adults are much less confident: among those aged 18 to 24, 38% say they have idle savings, the highest rate among all age groups.
Income also influences how people view their financial situation, but in a somewhat unexpected way. Wealthier households are more likely to feel they are leaving money unused. Among respondents earning at least 3,500 euros net per month, 41% said they have idle savings, compared with 28% of those earning less than 2,000 euros. By contrast, 72% of the lowest-income respondents said they do not have idle savings, which may reflect tighter budgets and limited room to save after essential spending.
Despite a more positive view of savings management, investing remains a source of concern for most people. The survey found that 92% of respondents identified at least one obstacle to investing, including lack of money, fear of losing capital, and mistrust of financial markets. These concerns continue to shape French preferences, with many still favoring low-risk or familiar products.
Life insurance remains the preferred investment for many French savers. Data published by the French Banking Federation in May 2026 showed that life insurance contributions reached 18.3 billion euros in March 2026, up 17% year on year. Among the 64% of survey respondents who said they invest, 34% hold a life insurance policy. Ownership is much higher among older people, with 43% of those aged 65 and over reporting this type of investment, compared with just 18% of 18- to 24-year-olds.
Life insurance continues to outpace other popular options such as rental property and the stock market, reinforcing its central role in French household savings. The overall picture is one of cautious progress: French people increasingly believe they are managing their money better, but many remain reluctant to take the next step into investing.
