Swedes hold a large amount of financial assets, but the distribution of these assets is very uneven. Most Swedes hold a small amount of financial assets, while 5 per cent of the population holds approximately half of all assets. Few have direct savings in shares or funds. Those with large loans can be vulnerable to weakened economic conditions and therefore in general have a greater need for a financial buffer. FI’s data indicates that many mortgagors hold a small amount of assets, at least with the same bank where they have their mortgage.
Swedes' holdings of financial assets have increased sharply over the past 20 years. Assets in the form of, for example, savings accounts, funds and shares provide individuals with financial security and the possibility to smooth their consumption across their lifetime. But Swedes also have large loans. Those that have large loans and small holdings of assets are vulnerable to adverse economic events. Assets also affect the resilience of the financial system. Therefore, how assets and liabilities are distributed between individuals is important.
Finansinspektionen is tasked with promoting a stable financial system and high level of consumer protection. This assignment includes monitoring assets and savings. In this report, we describe how financial assets are distributed in Sweden and how different groups choose to save over time.
