- Austrians are investing more: EUR 242.4 billion already invested in equities, bonds and investment funds
- Enormous potential remains: EUR 351.7 billion held in cash and bank deposits
- "Zukunftsdepot" an important step: fostering a shareholding culture early on
- Expand funded pension provision: Austria lags significantly behind internationally
(Vienna) On the occasion of World Savings Day on 31 October, the figures show that people in Austria are increasingly counting on securities to build wealth. According to the latest data from the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), holdings of equities, bonds and investment funds amounted to EUR 242.4 billion at mid-year. This represents around 24.4% of private households' total financial assets of EUR 991.7 billion1 and marks a record high. According to the "Aktienbarometer" – an annual survey conducted on securities ownership by Peter Hajek on behalf of the Federation of Austrian Industries, Aktienforum and the Vienna Stock Exchange – almost one in three people living in Austria (31%) owns securities. In the first survey in 2023, the figure was 25%.
However, the potential is far from fully exploited: at EUR 351.7 billion (35.5%), cash and bank deposits still account for the largest share of financial assets. In addition, according to the "Aktienbarometer", 19% of those who do not yet invest – equivalent to 1.4 million people – are interested in purchasing securities. A comprehensive capital market strategy could mobilise a larger share of these funds for long-term wealth creation and financial provision for the future.
"More and more people recognise that participating in companies' economic success is an essential component of personal retirement provision. To transform Austria from a nation of savers into a nation of investors, the capital market must be systematically integrated into retirement and long-term financial provision. The reform of occupational pension provision and, in particular, the planned "Zukunftsdepot" are important steps towards a stronger equity culture. However, further levers remain unused, including the reintroduction of a retention period for securities, the expansion of voluntary additional contributions to occupational pension schemes and a funded supplement to the statutory pension system, to name just a few," says Christoph Boschan, CEO of Wiener Börse AG.
While private investment in securities is gaining importance, funded provision in Austria’s pension system continues to lag visibly behind international peers. OECD data illustrate the scale of the structural catch-up required: at the end of 2024, assets recorded in funded occupational and private pension plans amounted to just 7.2% of GDP in Austria. The corresponding figures were 115.8% in Sweden, 150.9% in the Netherlands and 206.4% in Denmark. According to OECD projections, public pension expenditure is significantly lower in these countries: while Austria’s pension expenditure amounts to 14.5% of GDP, it stands at 6.8% in the Netherlands, 8.9% in Denmark and 7.9% in Sweden, compared with an EU average of 10.1%.
1 The data relate to private households, excluding non-profit institutions serving households. Securities holdings also include unlisted shares.
Sources:
Aktienbarometer 2026
OECD – Pensions at a Glance 2025
OeNB – Financial accounts of households
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