Tuesday, 28 October 2025
A new survey has revealed that most young Czechs would struggle to maintain their current lifestyle for more than a few months if they lost their income. According to research conducted by Ipsos for the investment company XTB, nearly two-thirds of respondents aged 18 to 30 said their financial reserves would last no longer than three months, with 30 percent managing only a single month and another 33 percent up to three months.
The study, based on responses from 1,000 participants, highlights significant differences in financial preparedness by education level. Among those with only basic education, 42 percent said their savings would cover just one month’s expenses. In contrast, only 14 percent of university students or graduates were in that position. Roughly one in five young Czechs reported savings that would sustain them for at least five months, while among undergraduates that share rises to over a third.
The findings also show a clear gender gap in financial resilience. More than a third of women (38%) said they could manage just a month without income, compared to 23 percent of men. “A financial cushion covering three to six months of expenses is the foundation of stability,” said Vladimír Holovka, Director of XTB for the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
When it comes to money management tools, 93 percent of young people regularly use mobile banking apps. Investment platforms are gaining ground, used by 32 percent overall, but participation is uneven: 46 percent of men invest compared with only 18 percent of women. Regional differences are also notable—Prague leads with investment activity above 40 percent, followed by Moravia (34 percent) and Bohemia (29 percent). Among university-educated respondents, nearly 42 percent invest, while only 18 percent of those with basic education do so.
Holovka noted that the gender gap in investing remains pronounced. “Men actively look for investment opportunities, while women tend to be more cautious. Removing barriers that discourage women from investing is not just a task for financial institutions but for society as a whole,” he said.
Saving habits remain modest. Almost 45 percent of respondents save less than CZK 1,300 a month, with women and those with lower education levels most represented in this group. Another 36 percent put aside between CZK 1,300 and 5,000 monthly, while 13.5 percent save up to CZK 12,500. Only 5 percent of young Czechs save more than that amount.
Despite limited savings, many respondents demonstrate a long-term outlook. More than half (56 percent) save for future goals such as housing, retirement or financial independence. Short-term goals like travel or consumer purchases were the priority for just 18 percent.
Social media plays an increasing role in shaping financial awareness: nearly one-third of respondents said they seek financial advice on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram. However, friends and family remain the most trusted advisers, followed by banks and financial consultants.
The survey paints a mixed picture of financial literacy among young adults in the Czech Republic—showing widespread awareness of the need to save and invest, yet persistent inequalities in access, behaviour and financial confidence.
Source: XTB / Ipsos Survey (October 2025)
