Poles’ Saving and Investing Patterns Under Conditions of Geopolitical Uncertainty

Abstract

In the context of growing economic uncertainty and dynamic market changes, the importance of rational financial decisions made by households is steadily increasing. The analysis of attitudes toward saving and investing has become crucial for understanding the economic condition of society and its resilience to external shocks. The aim of the study was to present and assess changes in the dynamics of household saving and investment in Poland in response to geopolitical uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The research was based on secondary data analysis, including reports from financial institutions and statistical data from Statistics Poland and Eurostat for the years 2020–2024. This time frame made it possible to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on the financial decisions of Poles. The results indicate that the pandemic caused a temporary increase in savings, resulting from reduced consumption and a precautionary motive, followed by a decline as economic activity resumed. Meanwhile, the decrease in investment levels after 2021 was associated with rising economic uncertainty triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A key problem remains the lack of practically oriented financial education, which results in insufficient knowledge and skills necessary for making responsible investment decisions.