Despite rising prices and ongoing geopolitical challenges, people in Latvia are the most confident in the Baltics about the stability of their personal finances. A survey conducted by Citadele Bank shows that the majority, or 66%, of Latvian residents feel confident about their ability to manage their personal budget over the next three months, although the past quarter has brought financial challenges for part of the population. One in four residents says their financial situation has worsened.
People’s assessment of changes in their personal financial situation over the past three months remains broadly similar across the Baltic states, although the data also reveal several differences between the countries.
In Latvia, the situation is relatively stable, with the financial situation of the majority, or 60% of residents, remaining unchanged. A total of 16% of respondents managed to improve their financial situation (3% significantly and 13% slightly), while one in four, or 25%, said their situation had worsened (18% slightly and 7% significantly).
Lithuania recorded the most positive assessment, with the financial situation improving for one in five, or 20%, of residents, while 19% of respondents said their situation had worsened.
By contrast, the economic outlook among residents in Estonia is more pessimistic.
A deterioration in personal finances was experienced by 33% of residents, the highest figure in the Baltics. Meanwhile, 17% of people in Estonia reported an improvement in their financial situation.
Although recent months have brought financial difficulties for one in four Latvian residents, the outlook for the future is positive. When assessing their ability to manage personal finances over the next three months, people in Latvia are the most confident in the Baltics: 66% feel confident about their ability to keep their budget under control, with 16% very confident and 50% fairly confident. A neutral position was expressed by 22%, while only 12% said they were not confident.
However, a closer look at the data shows that one in three Latvian residents still does not feel confident about their financial stability in the near future, expressing either a cautious or distinctly pessimistic assessment.
In Lithuania, 60% of residents are confident in their ability to manage their personal finances
over the next three months, while Estonians are the most cautious, with 58% confident about their financial situation.
The survey results indicate that financial sentiment is broadly similar across the Baltic states, with no major differences between the countries. On the one hand, most residents demonstrate an ability to adapt to economic challenges and maintain control over their household budgets. On the other hand, the data clearly show that a significant proportion of the population does not feel financially secure.
Between 34% and 42% of people across the Baltic states either do not feel confident about their finances or assess their situation as neutral. This shows that it is still too early to speak of complete financial security in the region.
To improve the situation and reduce financial concerns, one of the main priorities should be the targeted creation of a financial safety cushion by regularly setting aside part of monthly disposable income as savings.
Citadele Bank conducted the survey together with research agency Norstat in July 2026, surveying more than 1,000 people aged 18 to 74 online in each of the three Baltic states.
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