“From first to first.” Almost half of Poles would not survive a month after losing their job

21% declare no savings. Poles; another 17 percent estimates that the loss of income would last at most a month – according to a study commissioned by KRD. As it was added, the total debt of Poles has stabilized – at PLN 42.5 billion.

Almost every second Pole has no financial security

As indicated in the report of the National Debt Register (KRD) describing the study, another 8 percent 22% of Poles claim that if they lost their source of income, they would survive for a week or two at most. would survive on savings for a maximum of three months, 15 percent indicated in the survey that at most half a year, and another 17 percent – that a year or more.

“In practice, this means that almost every second Pole has no financial security or only has it for a month at most. Differences are also clear between the genders: the possibility of living for a year or longer is more often declared by men (23%) than by women (12%),” – the publication emphasizes. It was noted that 26% of people declared the “most difficult financial situation”. women and less, 15 percent men. Problems with saving money also concern respondents with lower education and income, as well as residents of rural areas and smaller towns.

41% declared no savings. respondents earning up to PLN 2,000 PLN net. The opposite is true in the group of people with over 7.5 thousand. on hand – among these people, 9% indicated the lack of a financial cushion. people.

“This means that next year even short-term shocks, such as a sudden expense or a temporary drop in income, may quickly translate into the need to reduce living costs and problems with timely payment of liabilities,” said Adam Łącki, president of the National Debt Register of the Economic Information Bureau, quoted in the publication.

The income is sufficient to cover current fees

According to the survey results, 30 percent respondents declared that their income is sufficient to cover current fees and save money at the same time, 36 percent manages to pay liabilities on time, but sometimes has to use savings, and 28 percent respondents are forced to significantly limit their spending to pay bills and other current liabilities. Income and savings are not sufficient to cover all fixed fees for 3%. Poles, and 4 percent there are no funds even for current needs and they have arrears in payments. Moreover, in the group of households with an income of up to PLN 2,000 PLN net, 20 percent respondents are unable to cover all fixed costs and must seek additional support or have payment delays.

The publication also noted that in 2025, Poles' debt stabilized, and in the last four months a slight decrease in the total amount of arrears in KRD was observed. Currently, it oscillates around PLN 42.5 billion. However, the average debt per one debtor is growing – at the end of November it amounted to PLN 21,000. PLN 767 and was PLN 160 higher than in 2024. In 2024, the courts also announced PLN 21,000. 187 bankruptcies of natural persons. Everything indicates that 2025 will end with a similar or slightly lower result.

The study “Poles' wallets at the threshold of 2026: savings and concerns” was conducted by IMAS International on behalf of KRD in December 2025 on a representative group of 1,003 consumers. (PAP)

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