BS EDIT: India's Evolving Risk Appetite: A New Era of Savings

By Business StandardPublished On Jan 6, 2025

From Traditional to Modern Investments

Indian households are moving beyond physical assets and bank deposits to explore mutual funds, insurance, and pensions

The Impact of Covid-19 on Savings

Net household financial savings surged to 11.7% of GDP in 2020-21, then fell to a low of 5.3% in 2022-23

Key Factors Behind Diversification

Rising incomes, financial literacy, smartphones, and digital platforms are encouraging diverse investments

Contrasting Risk Appetites

Urban households lean towards market-linked assets; rural households remain conservative

Growing Popularity of Market-Linked Assets

Mutual funds now form 6.1% of household savings, with folios increasing from 146M in 2022-23 to 178M in 2023-24

Balancing Risks and Rewards

While risk capital lowers corporate costs, liquidity mismatches challenge banks, requiring strong regulatory oversight