Risk propensity and saving behaviours among young people - the case of Poland

The primary objective of this article is to explore the saving behaviour of young Poles through the lens of behavioural finance. The study investigates the motives, preferences, and conditions influencing saving decisions among young individuals, particularly in the context of turbulent geopolitical phenomena, such as the pandemic, armed conflicts in neighbouring countries, and rising inflation. The research aimed to assess the financial behaviours of young Poles by examining the types of specific saving forms and beliefs regarding saving. The study explored the relationship between saving behaviour and the socio-economic characteristics of the surveyed individuals, as well as their inclination toward risky behaviour. A hypothesis was developed regarding gender differences in risk tolerance, with the expectation that men would exhibit a higher inclination toward risk-taking than women. The findings indicated that individuals with savings demonstrated a lower inclination towards stimulating risk compared to those without savings. Furthermore, those with savings demonstrated a higher inclination to take instrumental risks than their non-saving counterparts. Additionally, the study revealed that women are more proactive in their saving behaviour than men, and they also exhibit a lower propensity for stimulating risk.