The financial assets of Irish households rose by €21 billion in 2009, while liabilities fell, new data showed.
According to research from the Central Statistics Office, household assets such as bank deposits, shares, life insurance and pension fund assets grew in value from €283.5 billion in 2008 to €304.5 billion last year, a 7.4 per cent increase. This includes assets of non-profit organisations.
However, the figures do not include physical assets such as housing.
Household loans and other liabilities fell by €6.2 billion over the year, leading to a gain of 27.2 billion in net financial assets.
The household sector recorded positive net financial transactions of €8.7 billion last year, which was mainly attributed to a decline in loans throughout the year.
In 2009, the value of loans acquired by households was less than repayments made, h first time in recent years that this has occurred. Both short and long term loans fell compared with 2008, the figures showed.
But while household assets rose in value, the net financial assets of general Government fell by €21.7 billion. The non-financial corporations sector also saw a decline, falling by €31 billion.
The net financial assets of the financial corporations sector was down by €3 billion over the year.
