Among the Portuguese population over 55 years old, close to half (49%) are able to save money from month to month. There are even more home owners who no longer have a mortgage to pay.
The data is contained in the II Senior Consumer Barometer in Portugalcarried out by Fundación Mapfre’s Agingnomics research center. The study focuses on the Silver Economy, which involves generations aged 55 and over.
The Portuguese population aged 55 or over is 38% of the total population, with 4.1 million people. Now, the study allows us to conclude that 51% gave financial help to a friend or family member in the last 12 months. At the same time, 73% own a home and 57% no longer have a mortgage to pay.
The largest expenses, in the age groups under study, focus on food (mentioned by 87% of respondents) and housing (82%).
At the same time, around 73% claim that society attributes “little or no value” to the generation they are part ofwhile 52% say that their experience is not a factor in their appreciation in the job market.
When it comes to the future of the pension system, 47% believe it is at risk. Still, only 17% indicate they have a private pension plan.
Tourism is on most people’s plans
Among those surveyed, more than two-thirds (69%) said they wanted to travel for leisure next yearwith the majority (58%) preferring to do it in Portugal.
At stake are potentially 2.3 million people doing domestic tourismjudging by the responses collected.
According to the CEO of Mapfre Portugal, Luís Anula, the barometer results prove a “clear gap between the significant economic contribution of the senior population and their perception of social value”, he highlights.
When carrying out the study, 1123 people aged 55 or over, residing in Portugal, were interviewed. The margin of error is ±2.9% for a 95.5% confidence level.