Question

What is the average saving rate in Europe as compared to the average saving rate in North America? Dave Ramsey chapter 2 (Savings by Nation)

Answer 1

In Europe the average saving rate is 10.6% and in America it is 3.5%. This means that every fiscal year Americans save only 3.5% of their yearly income and Europeans save 10.6%.

This is dangerous for Americans since in the event of an unexpected crisis they will not have the liquidities to pay for it. One of the reasons is that in the USA Americans use credit cards massively and are thus usually indebted to Credit Card companies and most of their income goes into paying them both the interest and the principal. Marketing is also far more aggressive in America and manipulates people into buying stuff they do not really need.