Our online survey «Saving for the future of children» conducted in June 2024 with almost 700 participants provides insights into the savings behaviour of Swiss families: although two thirds of parents say they save for their children, most of them do not have a defined savings goal.

Saving per se is very popular

Fortunately, the majority of families do put money aside: 68% of parents save for their children, 54% of grandparents save for their grandchildren and 37% of godparents save for their godchildren.

The most popular method of saving is the standing order (42%), followed by the physical piggy bank (21%), which is then emptied and the money taken to the bank. The money then stays there: 81% leave their savings in the bank account for their children until they are 18.

There is a lack of savings goals and discussions

Saving is popular, but the vast majority of 57% do not have a defined savings goal. On the other hand, those who do pursue savings goals are ambitious: The second-largest group (15%) has set aside more than CHF 30,000 for their children. There seems to be little discussion about this: only 35% of respondents stated that money is a topic of discussion at the family dinner table.

Conclusion: need to catch up on finances

The results of this survey clearly show that many Swiss families have some catching up to do when it comes to finances. While saving for the children’s future is widespread, there is often a lack of defined goals and regular discussions about money issues.

Further results in detail:

Saving behaviour for children:

  • 68% of parents put money aside for their children.
  • 54% of grandparents save for their grandchildren.
  • 37% of godparents save for their godchildren.

Use of the money saved:

  • For 81% of those who save money, the money remains in the bank account until the age of 18.
  • The rest have invested the money elsewhere.

Savings goals:

  • 57 % of savers do not have a defined savings goal.
  • 5 % would like to save around CHF 1,000.
  • 8 % would like to save CHF 5,000.
  • 8 % would like to save CHF 10,000.
  • 6 % would like to save CHF 20,000.
  • 15 % would like to save more than CHF 30,000.

Savings method:

  • 42 % save by standing order.
  • 21 % still use the physical piggy bank at home and take it to the bank when it is full.
  • 13 % save irregularly when they think about it.

Demographic data from the survey:

  • The ‘Saving for the future of children’ survey was conducted with almost 700 Swiss people aged 18 and over.
  • 52% of respondents were men and 47% women.
  • Family size of respondents: 18.5 % have 1 child, 35.3 % have 2 children, 12.3 % have 3 children, 2 % have 4 children and 0.9 % have 5 children.