In a statement, Samuel Lins, the study coordinator, revealed that 44.1% of respondents intend to save more in 2025 than they did the previous year, showing greater optimism about their financial situation compared to the country’s economic outlook.
The survey report indicates that approximately 45.5% of Portuguese people believe the national economy will worsen, while 14.1% expect improvement.
Regarding their own financial circumstances, opinions are more balanced: 23.1% anticipate improvement, whereas 27% foresee deterioration.
The Consumer Habits and Savings report for 2025, compiled between April 17 and May 23 with a representative sample of 1,032 participants from all regions of mainland Portugal and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores, presents these findings.
As per the survey, a majority (54.4%) of Portuguese report spending less than they earn, and 76.7% regularly make shopping lists.
In 2024, 54.6% of Portuguese aimed to enhance their financial literacy, and 64.9% plan to continue this effort in 2025.
Additionally, 20.1% of respondents “agree or strongly agree that the amount of material possessions is an indicator of happiness and success.”
Regarding shopping habits, in 2024, 11.4% of Portuguese admitted to panic buying, while 24.7% shopped to alleviate negative emotions.
The study defines panic buying as “purchasing more than usual driven by fear and panic, generally during crises.”
Purchasing to relieve negative feelings involves buying as an emotional strategy to cope with boredom, sadness, and anger.
The survey highlights that 31.5% of Portuguese made impulse purchases (buying without thinking, spurred by sudden desire), and 9.6% bought items to impress others.
Environmental concerns influence 54.2% of Portuguese in their purchasing decisions.
Furthermore, 34% of respondents consider “social media opinions and comments before buying a product.”
The Social Challenges Observatory (ODESS) was established in 2021 to understand the perspectives of citizens residing in Portugal on various social issues that challenge democracy, social justice, equality, and the effective inclusion of different social groups.
