Dutch people who do invest do so mainly to build up wealth for the long term, for example as a supplement to their pension and for financial independence.

Saving remains the trusted choice for most people: 72% put their money in a savings account, 19% invest it. Those who invest do so mainly in shares (50%), investment funds (40%) and index trackers (35%).

Investing is seen by many as a way to build up diversified capital for later. Yet four out of five Dutch people do not yet invest and 50% do not plan to do so. Uncertainty plays a role in this: two in five think they have little knowledge about investing and an equally large group says they are afraid of losing money. Half of the Dutch (52%) even see investing as a form of gambling.

The fear of losing money often revolves around timing. Six out of 10 Dutch people who are afraid of losing money say they are insecure because they do not know when to buy or sell. This is more common among Generation Z and Millennials than among Baby Boomers. Many people also lack the confidence to get started: 40% have little confidence in themselves as an investor.

Emre Susam, director of Investing at ING in the Netherlands said many people don't invest because of uncertainty or fear.

“They think that investing means choosing the perfect time, while diversification and slowly building up help to take that pressure off. We have to get rid of the idea that investing is scary, because it's not that exciting. By investing a small amount every month with money you can spare, you can get more out of your money in the longer term and gain experience step by step."

People who do not invest prefer security: 52% of the Dutch do not want to take any risks with their money, 49% find saving easier than investing and 44% always want to be able to access their money immediately. In doing so, many Dutch people - consciously or unconsciously - opt for peace of mind, even if this may be at the expense of future returns. People who invest do so with a view to the long term. Supplementing retirement and financial independence are the main reasons for them to invest, followed by the expectation of a higher return than saving.

Emre said those who invest do so with a long-term goal, for example as a supplement to their pension.

The managers of our pensions invest and we think that more people could consider investing. You can decide for yourself how much you invest, how you spread and what risk suits you. Although there are risks, in the long term, investing has historically often yielded a higher return than saving."

If you want to start, start small

For investors and non-investors alike, the expectation of achieving a higher return from investing than from saving is an important reason to start investing. In addition, non-investors mention that it is important for them to be able to start with small amounts and that they receive clear explanations and possible guidance. Almost half (48%) expect to start investing with 100 euros or less per month. This insight is also alive among investors. They advise their peers who do not invest mainly to start with small amounts. Investing is more natural for the younger generations than for the older ones. Generation Z (23%) and Millennials (24%) are more likely to invest the money they have left over than Generation X (15%).

Looking for guidance

When the Dutch are looking for information about investing, trust plays an important role. Banks, financial websites and newspapers are seen as trustworthy significantly more often than social media, influencers or AI tools.
Influencers are not trusted by 70% of the Dutch people. In addition, 36% of Dutch people who do not invest now say they will start earlier if they can do so through a trusted party. Among people who are considering investing, this rises to 67%.

The difference between men and women is striking. Women invest less often than men (32% vs. 68%). They are more likely to find banks (very) reliable as a source of information than men (75% vs. 59%). And women are more likely than men to say that they find investing complicated, have little knowledge of it and do not know how to get started.

"We see a clear desire to move forward financially, but with certainty and overview. Banks have a role to play in this by helping with overview, explanations and realistic expectations. This allows people to better assess how investing, in addition to saving, can contribute to their long-term financial health," said Emre.

Unlocking Europe’s investment potential

ING recognises that Europe has a strong culture of saving, which helps provide a buffer, helps people handle surprises and provides peace of mind. But it also wants to encourage Europeans to get invested and help them invest with confidence to build long‑term financial resilience that supports both personal goals and Europe’s growth.

Research rationale

The study was conducted by Ruigrok Research & Advice on behalf of ING. In March 2026, 1,038 Dutch people aged 18 and older participated. The sample is representative by gender, age and level of education.