44% of Portuguese respondents say they are concerned about how to pay for Christmas presents, concludes the most recent study by Intrum, the European Consumer Payment Report 2018, which collected data from more than 24 consumers in 24 European countries, and analyzed their habits and consumer behavior.
Portugal is even the country that expresses this concern in the highest percentage among all participating European countries, whose European average stands at 27%.
This year, new data were introduced into the report that allowed us to analyze the impact of taxes on the domestic economy. It was concluded that 67% of the Portuguese believe that taxes will have a negative impact on their private economy, compared to the European average (47%). Of the respondents, 64% also said that taxes lead to less consumption than before, which is higher than the European average, which is 46%.
In addition, 75% say that taxes have a great impact on the price of goods and services, making them more expensive, a percentage also higher than the answers of the average of European consumers, which is situated at 62%.
The ECPR 2018 revealed that the Portuguese manage to save an average of €193 per month compared to last year, which recorded €80. The European average last year was €385 and this year €255.
Although they managed to save more, in the last twelve months, 38% of Portuguese did not pay their bills within the established period, which was 41% less than the previous year.
Over the past six months, the Portuguese have asked for loans on average of €2.239 to pay bills, an amount higher than the European average, which is €1.839.
Paying after the deadline remains a reality these days. The Portuguese respondents mentioned that television bills (24%), gas, water and electricity (23%) and loans (19%) are the ones that pay the most after the deadline. In 2017 the values were situated at 20%, 23% and 15% respectively.
Forgetfulness (57%) and lack of money to pay (38%) are the main reasons mentioned to justify late payment. Last year, the percentages were 54% and 42% respectively.
The Portuguese (28%) continue to buy consumer goods with a payment plan, credit or using borrowed money, a percentage that is slightly higher than in the previous year (26%).
Asking for loans, namely from the bank (37%) and from the family (33%) continue to be the options most used by respondents.
According to Luís Salvaterra, general director of Intrum “Christmas is a time of year marked by consumerism and it is necessary for the Portuguese to know how to manage their economies so that they can make conscientious purchases”.
Therefore, Intrum advises the Portuguese to train, throughout the year, their ability to spend within their possibilities, think twice before making a purchase in order to assess the price/product, and if they have any payment plan , the important thing is that they keep the commitment made. If they face financial difficulties, the next step is, without a doubt, to ask for advice in order to avoid bigger problems and thus control their financial situation”, concludes the person in charge.
About European Payment Consumer Report
The European Consumer Payments Report was born in 2013. As a “catalyst for a healthy economy”, Intrum perceived the need to consult the opinions of 21.317 European consumers, namely 1009 Portuguese respondents, in order to better understand the reality of the domestic and daily life in their homes.
The information obtained in the European Payment Consumer Report, were based on a survey conducted by market research firm United Minds.
Comments