The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Bulletin released on September 18, 2023, published data on the “Flow of Financial Assets and Liabilities of Households”. This data is about financial assets and financial liabilities of households across India.
The surveys conducted by wealth managers or wealth surveyors are usually confined to the cities and towns, and hence the outcome would be different but this one includes every corner of the country, including rural areas.
Financial assets, in the RBI report, are deployments in bank deposits, other deposits (non-banks), life insurance, Provident Fund (PF) and pension, small savings schemes in post office, and investments in mutual funds and equity. Financial liabilities are loans from banks and other entities.
Data And Trends
The data led to a lot of debate. It was revealed that the net savings of households have dropped to a five-decade low. This led to concerns about lifestyle and preferences of people in current times.
The Ministry of Finance also issued a clarification that the low savings rate is not so much of a concern, but a change in approach to managing money; people are availing of loans to finance assets, such as real estate, cars, etc.
But before we comment on the good or the bad part of it, let us first understand what is happening. The data on financial assets of households has been published on two parameters: flow and stock. Flow implies incremental savings or investments in a given time period, similar to how a profit and loss account measures the result of a given time period. Stock means the stock of financial assets on a given date, like how a balance sheet shows an entity’s snapshot on a given date.
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Outlook Money.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Outlook Money.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BUDGET & YOU: NEW REGIME BEATS OLD IN FY26
Lower tax slabs and nil tax on incomes up to 12 lakh has not only provided relief to middle-class families but also rendered the old tax regime irrelevant for most of them. The government also renewed its focus on senior citizens
Consistent Returns In Hybrid Space
The Indian equity market is going through rough waters, leaving investors uncertain about whether to choose equity or fixed-income investments. Experts, meanwhile, predict higher volatility and recommend a safer approach.
BEHIND THE MIND GAMES THAT END IN 'DIGITAL ARREST'
The new scam of digital arrest employs psychological pressure to dupe vulnerable victims, who go through a phase of trauma and fear. We tell you how it works, whether the government is doing enough to curb the menace, and how you can keep yourself safe
Boost To Consumption, But Don't Buy Blindly
With the budget putting more money into the hands of people to boost consumption and increasing foreign direct investment in insurance, certain consumer-oriented sectors, such as FMCG, auto, as well as manufacturing are expected to do well, but think before investing
Pre-Existing Diseases In Insurance
Understanding pre-existing diseases (PEDS) in health insurance is crucial because they can affect your coverage and premiums. Pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are health issues you may already have and know of before purchasing insurance.
'Govts Are Often Influenced By Private Interests, And Don't Focus On Health'
Longevity is not about going to the gym or having superfoods, but living in an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones founder, National Geographic fellow, best-selling author and the producer of the Emmy Award-winning 'Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zone' series, learnt this during his decades-long research into five blue zones of the world. In an interview with Nidhi Sinha, Editor, Outlook Money, as part of the Wealth Wizards series, he talks about another kind of wealth, a healthy and fulfilling long life. He also talks about blue zones, and how policy matters when it comes to improving the health, lifestyle and longevity of the population
The 'Gap' In Long-Term Returns
There is a significant gap in the nominal and inflation-adjusted returns across asset classes. So, reading long-term trends is important before making investing decisions
Changed Jobs? Where is Your EPF Money?
For many employees, transfer of EPF becomes a nightmare when changing jobs. We give you the likely problem scenarios and what you should do for a seamless transfer of your EPF upon changing jobs and states
Old-New Break-Even Point Is High
The break-even point for deductions to choose between the old and new tax regimes has increased to ₹8.50 lakh for income of ₹24.75 lakh and above. Normally, deductions and exemptions commonly claimed by salaried individuals do not exceed ₹8.50 lakh
How Not To Be Financially Vulnerable
We often naïvely assume that our monthly pay cheques will cover whatever life throws our way. But it may not cover all our emergencies, which is why we need to create a safety net
