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Surveys Spotlight Latin America’s Saving Gap as Mexico Leans Informal and Peru Saves Little

Experts urge automated habits to shift households into formal saving through financial education.

Overview

  • Mexico’s latest financial inclusion survey shows 66% of adults report some savings, up from about 50.8% in 2012, according to Condusef citing ENIF.
  • Most Mexican savers use informal methods, with 41% keeping cash at home, 20% joining tandas, 13% using workplace or acquaintance boxes, and 9% turning to family or friends, while only 17% save via accounts, 13% through payroll and 3% in term deposits or investments.
  • Key barriers identified in Mexico include limited incomes, unexpected expenses, distrust of banks and weak financial education.
  • Peru’s ENAHO data indicate only 11.6% of households saved in the first half of 2025, and a private consultancy reports average balances near 240 soles.
  • Advisers mark World Savings Day by promoting goal-setting, expense tracking, automatic transfers and financial literacy, framing a shift toward technology-enabled, strategic saving.