Saving behaviour: evidence from Portugal

This paper analyses the determinants of saving behaviour among Portuguese households using a structural equation model with latent variables. It is found that the main factors directly influencing households' saving behaviour are their attitude towards saving and their level of income. However, savers' behaviour is also indirectly influenced by their perceptions of longevity, their feelings as savers, the replacement rate and the age. The family size does not have any effect, either directly or indirectly. Policy implications are derived from the study.