71% of young Asians want structured financial planning

Int'l desk: Young adults in Asia are showing a decisive shift in how they think about money, replacing impulsive spending and unstructured financial habits with structured planning, long-term protection and flexible solutions tailored to life’s changing demands. This is the key finding of a fresh Prudential study, which suggests the region’s younger generation is becoming meaningfully more disciplined and strategy-driven as uncertainty becomes a permanent feature of modern economic life.

Prudential’s report, Financial Mindset of Young Adults in Asia, finds that more than 71% of young adults want a structured approach to managing their finances. Instead of relying on short-term decisions, they increasingly prefer clear, goal-based planning and consistent habits around insurance and investment. The results reveal how young adults are reacting to rising living costs, unstable career paths and the lingering consequences of economic disruption. For many, financial planning is no longer simply a lifestyle choice- it is an essential factor to diminish risk, safeguard future stability and maintain independence.

The study also highlights a nuanced psychological outlook. Although uncertainty is widely accepted as part of everyday life- 63% of respondents describe it as the ‘new normal’- optimism remains resilient. Nearly 70% believe their economic situation will improve over the next five to ten years, indicating that young adults are not surrendering to volatility but are actively preparing to navigate it. This mindset signals a generation aspiring to control through preparation, blending realism about today’s challenges with confidence in long-term progress.

At the heart of this shift is the pursuit of security. The survey shows that 77% of respondents identify economic security as their biggest concern, ranking above health, education, career growth or even family responsibilities. Around 60% say they now think more about the future than focusing on present enjoyment, highlighting a strong move toward long-term thinking as young adults confront inflationary pressure and higher cost of living. Retirement planning, too, is becoming a clearer priority: 64% believe they will be capable of accumulating enough wealth to sustain their lifestyle after leaving the workforce, reflecting a growing commitment to long-term asset-building rather than mere short-term finance management.

Significantly, this does not mean young adults are aspiring for stability through rigid sacrifice. Many want financial plans that allow them to invest wisely while still enjoying life and they prefer solutions that may adapt as their goal, responsibility and ambition evolve. This demand for flexibility is shaping expectations in the financial services industry.

Technology is strengthening the trend. Many respondents feel confident researching financial products and managing their own investment portfolios. Yet the human element remains highly valued, especially in complex decisions like life and health insurance. Around 64% still prefer to consult economic advisers, in particular, to understand complicated coverage conditions and navigate sensitive processes such as claims. As a result, a hybrid model is evolving, combining the speed and transparency of digital platforms with the trust and expertise of professional guidance.

Based on responses from more than 5,300 young adults across seven markets- Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand- the Prudential study points to a generational transformation that will reshape Asia’s insurance, investment and wealth management landscape. Providers that may deliver simple, personalised and flexible solutions, supported by both digital innovation and human advisory services, are likely to win the confidence- and long-term loyalty- of Asia’s next generation of financial decision-makers. (News source: Insurance Asia Review)