Solidarity Savings Attract a New Generation
In the face of political and economic uncertainty, the French are saving more than ever — but now with purpose. Among the younger generation, saving is no longer just a precautionary measure; it has become a civic, even activist, act. This underlying trend is confirmed by France Active and FAIR during the Solidarity Finance Week 2025.
Saving to Protect and Take Action
The numbers speak for themselves: 78% of French people plan to save in 2026, marking a historic record. Among them, 62% say they intend to save as much or more than the previous year, according to the survey by France Active / FAIR / OpinionWay. This represents a jump of 7 points compared to 2025. Young people stand out in particular: 71% of those aged 18-24 plan to save more, often driven by economic uncertainties and pension reform.
"Fear of the future remains the primary driver of saving, especially among the younger population, who perceive an unstable environment, » notes Pierre-René Lemas, president of France Active. More than one in two French people (50%) cite fear of the future as the main reason for saving, a proportion that is steadily increasing. However, for a growing segment of the population, saving now goes beyond the mere pursuit of security.
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (24%) report channeling all or part of their money into projects with social or environmental impact, an increase of four points in one year. This is a clear sign that responsible saving is no longer a niche market; it is now attracting the general public, particularly the rising generations.
Giving Meaning to Your Money
For Patrick Sapy, CEO of FAIR, this evolution marks a significant generational shift: “Young people have understood that saving is no longer just about self-protection; it is about participating in society’s transformation.” The slogan for the 2025 campaign—Saving is voting—perfectly reflects this cultural shift: 37% of French people now view their savings decisions as a form of civic expression. Among Generation Z, this belief reaches 65%.
The preferred investment themes reflect this new sensibility: ecological transition tops the list (26%), followed by reducing social inequalities (20%) and developing vulnerable regions (20%). In other words, young investors aim to combine performance with meaning and collective utility.
However, while the demand exists, education still needs to be strengthened. Sixty-five percent of French people still feel inadequately informed about products, profitability, and the mechanics of socially responsible savings. This lack of knowledge hinders action, even as the market continues to expand: the assets of socially responsible finance now exceed 30 billion euros in France, according to FAIR.
France Active is advocating for a universal employee savings plan, which is currently reserved for large companies, to provide all employees with access to responsible investment products. The association is also pushing for life insurance to allow a broader shift toward solidarity-based funds.
Underlying this is the emergence of a new approach to money: less focused on immediate profitability and more concerned with collective impact. For industry players, solidarity finance is no longer a niche but a generational movement poised to become ingrained in French financial culture.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
