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Average savings in the UK

NatWest Savings Index 2026

We've surveyed 10,000 people in the UK to uncover the latest household savings trends

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From average savings in the UK to people’s confidence with investing, the 2026 NatWest Savings Index is packed with handy insights. Across different cities and age groups, our research looks at how we save money, plus our top reasons for doing so.

How much do we have in emergency savings? How often do we take cash out? And what are the average savings trends by age and region across the UK? Get answers to these questions and many more.

Our survey was conducted between 15th December 2025 and 5th January 2026.

Key savings statistics

Savings Index 2026 key findings infographic

We’re still a nation of big savers in 2026:

  • 84% of adults have saved money in the last year - a big majority.
  • Almost half (48%) of us put cash aside each month, while 10% try to save money every week.
  • Average monthly savings have jumped in the UK since last year, from £226 to £288.
  • Just 20% of households lack emergency savings. 
  • 86% say saving is an important part of reaching their financial goals.
  • Financial security (16%) and retirement (14%) are our top reasons to save.
  • Holidays and emergency funds are our biggest savings goals (both 26%).
  • While ISAs remain popular, 67% of savers don’t know or are unsure what the ISA allowance is.
  • 66% of us are using savings tools to help us save.
  • People are willing to cut back on takeaways (30%), meals out (27%) and new clothes (24%) to put more into savings.
  • 29% of people don’t chat about their finances with anyone.

Susan Fisher, Product Owner at NatWest Group, says: “On average, people who can save each month are putting more aside: about £288 per month, compared with last year’s £226. 

“Our Round Ups feature is a great option for customers to help them put aside small amounts of money regularly, which can soon add up.”

Round Ups is available to customers with an eligible current account, instant access savings account and the mobile app. Once you’ve set it up, it’ll automatically work with all debit card and contactless device payments (in sterling). App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. 

Read our Savings Index in full

Take a deeper dive into our 2026 Savings Index. Our full report has extra facts and figures on the UK’s savings habits.

Average savings trends by age in the UK

When breaking down savings by age, younger adults are more tech-savvy and keen to explore investments. On the other hand, the UK’s over-55s prioritise safety above growth. While those in the middle take a balanced approach.

18-34

  • Younger adults tend to save less than older age groups each month. Although average monthly savings for 18-24 year-olds have gone up slightly, from £195.48 to £202.30.
  • They’re also more likely to dip into their savings – 5% of 18-24s do this daily, with 25% warning of a negative mental impact.
  • The good news is they’re keen on budgeting, with 25-34s particularly focused on getting their finances in order (69%).
  • Many are open to investing, with over half (53%) of 18-24s considering this in the next two years.
  • A third (33%) of adults between 18 and 24 use TikTok for financial support, showing how popular digital tools and social media apps have become.
Information Message

35-54

  • The UK’s over-35s try to balance safety and risk when managing their savings.
  • Two thirds (66%) have set a budget, with 88% of 35-44s setting specific savings goals too.
  • These savers have some interest in investing their money. In particular, those aged 35-44 (38%).
Information Message

55+

  • Older adults are the least likely to dip into their savings accounts. More than a third (39%) of over-65s have avoided doing so in the last year.
  • They also have the highest ISA savings average by age, with over-65s putting £6,315.90 away each year.
  • On the other hand, they’re less likely to use budgeting tools. Just 42% of over-65s budget their finances, compared to the national average of 55%.
  • Investing isn’t a big priority for this age group either. Just 5% of over-65s plan to invest in the next two years, compared to the average of 27%.
  • If handed an £8,000 lump sum, 54% of over-65s would put it all in a savings account instead of investing any.
Information Message

Parents

  • Parents with kids under 18 tend to be more active savers, with clearer financial goals.
  • 14% of these parents take steps to save every week.
  • 53% of parents are considering investing to help them save.
  • Those with younger kids are also more likely to invest in the next two years (42%), compared to parents with children over 18 (11%).
Information Message

Susan Fisher, Product Owner at NatWest Group, says: “Parents, especially those with younger children, tend to be more goal-driven, and those goals can really vary, covering anything from family security and holidays to things like school trips and school uniform costs. Parents also tend to budget more and engage more with savings tools. 

“But we do recognise that parents also face higher day-to-day costs, so balancing short-term spending with long-term goals can be really tough. That’s where our spending and saving tools, and clear, simple goal tracking, can really help.”

How do UK cities save?

London has taken the crown this year as the UK’s leading city for confident saving. Belfast, Coventry and Birmingham follow closely behind.

 

Want to know how your nearest city performed? Just use the dropdown below. The higher the score, the more informed and confident the savers who live there are.

 

To get our results, we looked at average yearly savings as a percentage of income in each city we surveyed. We also researched savings habits by city, taking an average percentage of how people answered these questions:

 

  • How often do you put money into savings?
  • How important or unimportant do you think saving money is for your financial goals?
  • Do you set a budget for yourself?
  • What kind of savings goals do you have?
  • How much do you think you should be saving each month?
City Index score City Index score
London 59.7% Manchester 56.3%
Belfast 58.8% Edinburgh 55.6%
Coventry 57.6% Liverpool 55.1%
Birmingham 57% Chelmsford 54.8%
City Index score
Manchester 56.3%
Liverpool 55.1%
Leeds 52.7%
Newcastle 52.7%
Sheffield 51%
York 48.9%
City Index score
Southampton 53.4%
Brighton and Hove 52.4%
Oxford 51.4%
Portsmouth 50.8%
City Index score
London 59.7%
Chelmsford 54.8%
Cambridge 52.7%
Norwich 50.3%
City Index score
Bristol 52.8%
Gloucester 52.2%
Plymouth 50.1%
City Index score
Edinburgh 55.6%
Glasgow 51.5%
Aberdeen 50.8%
City Index score
Cardiff 51.2%
Wrexham 49.6%
Swansea 45.4%
City Index score
Belfast 58.8%

How do different regions compare?

purple map of the UK with a pound coin

London’s savers lead the way in 2026. They make average monthly savings of £364.80, while two thirds (66%) set a budget. Londoners also value saving the most, with nine in 10 (91%) saying it’s an important part of their financial goals.

Many Londoners are open to trying new technologies and investments too. Some 44% are willing to use AI tools to boost their financial planning. While 46% are investing money and 64% are confident about their investing know-how.

People in Wales tend to be less engaged in saving though. Around a quarter (24%) don’t have an emergency fund to fall back on, while 42% aren’t using budgeting tools. In the last year, 43% haven’t taken any steps to learn about money management either. Their investment knowledge could also be improved – 72% don’t currently invest money.

Attitudes towards investing

Savings Index 2026 investments infographic

There’s still plenty of work to do when boosting people’s awareness of investments. Many savers lack confidence or knowledge, despite a government drive to encourage investing.

  • Only 47% of people feel confident about investing, with 45% saying the opposite.
  • If given an £8,000 lump sum, only 11% of people would invest the full amount. Some 40% say they’d use a savings account instead, with 38% likely to split the money between the two.
  • Stocks and shares (61%) and cryptocurrency (24%) are the most popular choices for current investors. Most say they’re risk-neutral or balanced investors (45%).

Over longer periods of time (five years or more), investments such as stocks, shares and funds have the potential to give you higher returns compared to cash savings. But the value of investments can fall as well as rise. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.

Savings Index FAQs

Start your savings journey

Boost your savings knowledge with our range of handy guides and resources. From savings accounts to budgeting tools, we offer plenty of support.

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Explore our savings accounts Open in new window
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Savings guides Open in new window
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How to start saving Open in new window
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Regular saving tips Open in new window
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Taking control of your money Open in new window
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Set up a savings goal Open in new window

App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Round Ups is available to customers with an eligible current account, instant access savings account and the mobile app. Once you’ve set it up, it’ll automatically work with all debit card and contactless device payments (in sterling).