Survey: half of Lithuanians are more optimistic about their financial situation than Estonians or Latvians

A survey conducted in the Baltic countries shows that Lithuanians are slightly better prepared for potential financial challenges than Latvians and Estonians, but the situation is still worrying. Compared to the Baltic countries, Lithuanians remain the most optimistic – as many as 53% say they have enough savings to cover their liabilities for six months. In Latvia, 41% of the population is this way, while in Estonia – only 38%.

But these figures do not necessarily translate into real security – the survey shows that a significant number of people, while believing they have enough savings, admit that they would struggle to cope in the event of an unexpected loss of earning capacity.

Even 14% of respondents in Lithuania admit that if they lost their ability to work for six months, they would be completely unable to meet their financial obligations, such as mortgages, rent or utility bills. Meanwhile, another 26% say it would be very difficult to meet all their obligations. These situations are most often caused by an unexpected health problem, such as a serious injury or serious illness, which prevents a person from working and results in a loss of regular income.

In Latvia, by comparison, as many as 22% of the population say they would be completely unable to meet their obligations, and in Estonia the figure is even higher: as many as 25%. Although Lithuania looks statistically stronger than its neighbours, the situation still shows that one in two people in the country does not have a sustainable financial foundation that would allow them to survive stably for six months without income. In such cases, when savings are insufficient or non-existent, having insurance against accidents or critical illnesses can be a vital financial pillar.

The study also found that women in all three Baltic countries are less financially protected than men. In Lithuania, 14% of both women and men say they would not be able to meet their financial obligations if they lost the ability to work, but women have lower confidence in their ability to manage, with only 24% confident they would be able to manage, compared to 31% of men.

When looking at data for different age groups, the most vulnerable group is young people under 29. In Lithuania, as many as 51% of respondents in this age group say that it would be difficult or impossible for them to meet their obligations if they lost their ability to work for six months. In Latvia the figure is even higher: 61% and in Estonia 59%. The survey shows that it is not people of retirement age who are most vulnerable, as is often assumed, but young adults who are starting out on their own, taking on financial commitments but do not yet have sufficient savings or insurance cover.

The survey was carried out by interviewing at least 1,000 people in each of the Baltic States in 2025.