ING Türkiye: How Turks Save?

The savings rate in Türkiye remained stable at 54% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to ING Türkiye’s latest Savings Trends Survey. While traditional “under-the-mattress” gold continues to dominate savings preferences, investors are increasingly diversifying across instruments. Medium- and long-term return expectations strengthened, while short-term expectations declined. Nearly one in five respondents reported allocating funds to higher-yield investment products to protect their financial health.

Savings Ownership Remains Stable

ING Türkiye released the fourth-quarter 2025 results of its long-running Savings Trends Survey, conducted in collaboration with NielsenIQ as part of its sustainability strategy to promote financial well-being.

The survey found that the savings ownership rate remained unchanged at 54%.

For the first time in recent periods, the savings rate among men (55%) exceeded that of women by three percentage points.

Among the 46% who reported having no savings, 21% said they plan to start saving in the near future. The intention to begin saving was higher among women (24%) than men (18%).

Regular Saving Behavior Strengthens

Among those who reported having savings, 84% said they save regularly, marking a two-point increase compared to the previous quarter.

• 27% allocate less than 10% of their income to savings

• 43% save between 10% and 20% of their income

The primary motivation for saving remains investing in the future (34%), followed by the need for financial security against unexpected risks (23%). Notably, among individuals aged 35–44, the motivation to save for unforeseen circumstances increased by seven percentage points compared to the previous quarter.

Gold and Cash Lead Savings Preferences

Survey results indicate that individuals use an average of 2.1 savings instruments, suggesting growing diversification.

However, traditional preferences remain dominant:

• Under-the-mattress gold: 43%

• Under-the-mattress cash: 32% (up from the previous quarter)

• Gold or precious metals accounts: 21%

• TRY time deposits: 18%

• Stocks/equities: 16%

• Private pension funds: 15% (up four points quarter-on-quarter)

• TRY demand deposits: 9%

• Foreign currency time deposits: 8%

• Mutual funds: 4%

Women showed a stronger preference for physical gold and gold accounts, while men were more inclined toward equities and cryptocurrencies.

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Shift Toward Medium- and Long-Term Return Expectations

Expectations for returns increasingly shifted toward the medium and long term.

• 43% expect returns in the medium term

• 40% expect returns in the long term

Short-term return expectations declined significantly.

When asked how they protect their financial health, 65% cited controlling expenses, marking a five-point increase from the previous period.

Meanwhile:

• 19% reported investing in higher-yield products (up five points)

• 15% said they allocate funds across multiple investment instruments

Financial Literacy and Digital Banking Use

About 39% of respondents said they are knowledgeable about investment products. The figure was significantly higher among men (45%), representing a 12-point gap compared to women.

Banking penetration remains high, with 95% of participants using banking services. In the past month, 90% reported using internet or mobile banking channels.

ING Türkiye: Diversification Is a Strategic Priority

Commenting on the findings, Tuğçe Bora Kılıç, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking at ING Türkiye, said the stable savings rate and rising number of instruments per person signal growing diversification.

She noted that individuals are increasingly allocating savings toward instruments with higher return potential and managing their portfolios more actively.

Kılıç emphasized that ING Türkiye considers flexibility and product diversity a strategic priority, offering solutions that allow customers to manage savings according to different financial needs. She highlighted the bank’s “Orange Account,” which offers daily interest accrual, and digital tools within ING Mobile that enable users to track investments, compare funds, and create watchlists.

The bank said it would continue supporting diversification across savings and investment products.

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