The next generation
Many Hong Kong children think saving is the right thing to do, a lesson they’re learning from their parents
The attitudes and behaviours of future investors are cultivated at childhood. To gain a better understanding of the needs and experience of young savers, we interviewed 120 children from the ages of eight to 15 years old. The goal was to get an idea of what Hong Kong kids feel is important and gain an insight into how their parent’s attitudes impact them. We wanted to examine how we could help them to think longer term and consider the environment around them as they grow older. In a business-oriented society like Hong Kong, their responses were enlightening.
The piggy bank is slowly being replaced
Hong Kong children are actively engaged in saving with 76% of those with money keeping their cash in a bank account. Hong Kong children ‘earn’ about circa HKD180per week, with the 88% of them saying they receive it in the form of pocket money. For 50% however, the money was received as a gift and 19% said they have a job or are paid for doing chores.
Hong Kong children ‘earn’ about circa HKD180per week
The importance of saving ingrained at an early age
About 80% of Hong Kong children surveyed believe that not only is saving good but is also the right thing to do. Given that the majority of adults’ money remains in cash and savings accounts, such an attitude is understandable.
According to the parents of the children surveyed, the top two reasons they make their children hold onto their cash are to build future security and to teach them money management skills.
When risk is not an issue children are prepared to wait for a higher return, 65% of children would rather wait and have HKD20 in three weeks’ time rather than receiving HKD10 now.