02.04.2026
According to a recent Emor survey, as many as 57% of working-age people in Estonia would not be able to manage for more than three months if their income disappeared. 30% of working-age Estonians possess savings for only one month.
According to Nelli Janson, the Head of the LHV Investor Community, the results reflect the vulnerability of Estonian people to unexpected events. ‘It is humanly understandable that rapid price growth puts pressure on the ability to save. Monthly household budgets are tight and one often has to be creative to find ways to set money aside,’ Janson said. Nevertheless, she noted that having a financial buffer is especially important during turbulent times. Usually, it cannot be built overnight, but requires conscious planning and consistency over a longer period. ‘When creating a peace-of-mind fund and growing wealth, the foundation of success is developing a saving habit. This helps keep one motivated during both economic booms and downturns,’ Janson noted.
The study revealed that financial insecurity is highest among 35–49-year-olds. Among those in this age group, 69% of respondents would not cope for more than three months if their income ceased. In contrast, the corresponding figure for 16–24-year-olds is 59%, among 25–34-year-olds it is 61%, and in the 50+ age group, it is 47%. ‘The results are consistent with events in a person’s life cycle. For example, younger people often still live with their parents, which reduces the pressure on the wallet. At the same time, the 35–49 age group contains the most families with children, which means higher expenses,’ Janson said.
Beyond increasing financial security, having a peace-of-mind fund is also linked to mental health. Janson recommends taking a close look at the monthly budget as a first step to get an accurate overview of income and expenses. After that, a specific plan can be set to reach a savings buffer that can cover one’s costs for at least three months, if necessary. ‘The future belongs to everyone to shape. Even if today’s situation is fragile, it should not be taken as an inevitability or a reason to give up. This is merely a starting position, and building future security is a marathon, not a sprint,’ Janson encouraged.
The Emor study showed that even if a person has savings, their money often sits in a current account or as cash at home. ‘In this way, savings are left for inflation to bite, meaning the purchasing power of the money falls. A good opportunity for creating a peace-of-mind fund is to set up regular and automated payments into a preferred savings solution where they also earn interest,’ Janson said.
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