BRATISLAVA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The financial mindset of consumers in Slovakia has changed significantly, with almost two-thirds of Slovaks now protecting their savings and avoiding financial risk, according to a European Consumer Payment Report quoted by the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) on Saturday.
The report by credit management services company Intrum found that the share of Slovak respondents classified as "cautious savers" rose from 35 percent in 2025 to 62 percent in 2026. The figure is 15 percentage points above the European average of 47 percent.
The shift reflects a more defensive approach to personal finances, with households increasingly focusing on preserving existing savings and limiting exposure to financial risks amid economic uncertainty, the report said.
"Overall, Slovaks have maintained their financial stability over the past year. However, the way in which they manage their money has changed significantly," said Martin Musil, executive director of Intrum Slovakia.
The growing preference for financial security suggests that economic uncertainty is influencing household financial behavior even before repayment difficulties become apparent, Musil said.
Meanwhile, Slovaks' confidence in their ability to pay monthly bills remained broadly stable. The proportion of respondents who are confident they could meet all their monthly payment obligations edged down from 79 percent in 2025 to 78 percent in 2026.
The share of debt-burdened and financially vulnerable consumers in Slovakia remained unchanged at 10 percent, matching the overall European figure, according to the report. ■