06.03.2026
A survey commissioned by LHV reveals that, compared to older people, there is a significantly higher proportion of younger individuals who believe that 2026 will be a better year for them financially.
A recent survey conducted by Norstat indicates that younger age groups are more likely to believe this year will be economically better than the last. Among both 18-29 and 30-39-year-olds, 27% held this view. In contrast, the figure was 14% for 40-49-year-olds, 11% for 50-59-year-olds, and only 9% for those aged 60-74.
According to Nelli Janson, Head of the LHV’s Investor Community, the greater economic optimism among young people may be linked to their generally lower monthly expenses compared to their elders. ‘For example, they may not be raising young children yet, or students might still receive financial support from their parents, which eases financial pressure,’ Janson explained. She added that the rapid growth of financial literacy, especially among the youth, certainly fuels this optimism. ‘The concept of financial wisdom is spreading like wildfire in society. Among LHV’s clients, we see a growing number of young investors who are creating a financial buffer for every life event. Such a safety net helps maintain optimism and provides a significant sense of security,’ Janson noted. She emphasized that the key lies in consistency and that even investing small amounts over a long period can have a major impact.
Vahur Vallistu, Chairman of the Management Board of LHV Varahaldus, pointed out that younger people are still in the process of setting up their lives, are more optimistic about the future, and are often more innovative and ambitious. They need to acquire their own homes, develop saving and investment habits, and figure out which solutions for capital accumulation are best suited for them. ‘For example, the II and III pension pillars are increasingly attractive investment products for young people to build their future security upon. In today’s fast-paced world, the convenience and automation offered by pension pillars for growing money are highly valued,’ said Vallistu.
Citing LHV data, he highlighted that it is predominantly the younger age groups who have increased their personal contributions to the II pillar to 4% or 6%. The 25-29 age group has been particularly active in this regard. Younger people have also, on average, increased their monthly payments to the III pillar more than others. ‘In several younger age groups, we have seen a 20% increase in the average contribution in recent years,’ Vallistu revealed.
Younger people are at a stage in their lives where they are more actively taking new steps on the career ladder, which is usually reflected in salary growth. To build future security, it is important to have a plan for what to do with the extra money. ‘For instance, it is worth asking yourself if you have a sufficient emergency fund and whether you have effectively put the II and III pillars to work for you,’ Janson recommended. She recalled that the younger you start investing, the better the final result will be.
Across all age groups, there were more people who thought the year would not be better financially (35%) than those who thought it would be (17%). However, many respondents (23%) had not yet formed an opinion on the matter, and a significant number (24%) believed the year would be financially the same as the previous one.
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