Young Adults Exhibit Strong Financial Habits, Nordea Study Finds
A recent Nordea-commissioned study reveals that a significant majority of young adults are saving regularly, with a small fraction missing bill payments. Most also express disapproval of delayed payment solutions for purchases.
Eight out of ten (79 percent) young adults aged 18-29 are saving on a regular basis, with 40 percent saving over 3,000 SEK per month. The study, conducted by Verian, indicates that only one in ten (9 percent) have missed a bill payment in the last twelve months. Among those who actively save, this figure drops to just 4 percent.
Despite these responsible saving habits, 62 percent of young adults admit to spending more than they could afford in the past year. Conversely, 57 percent do not find it acceptable to use deferred payment solutions for consumption, highlighting a potential disconnect.
The research also found that young adults transitioning to independent living, cohabitation, or parenthood tend to show higher financial interest, better knowledge, greater control, and more optimism regarding their finances compared to those living at home.
The primary barriers to saving are identified as low income (51 percent) and high living costs (36 percent). Nevertheless, 71 percent report a strong interest in their personal finances, and 80 percent feel they have a high degree of control over them.
The survey was conducted in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark in March 2026. The Swedish sample included 1,001 interviews, representing a cross-section of 18-29 year olds.