Young Indian Professionals Choose Saving Over Spending, Naukri Survey Finds
Young Indian professionals are becoming smarter with their money, focusing more on saving, investing, and clearing debts rather than spending on luxuries, according to a new survey by job platform Naukri.
The report surveyed over 20,000 job seekers across India who earn up to ₹12.75 lakh per year and fall under the zero-tax bracket in the new FY’26 tax regime. It found that nearly 60% are using their extra income to save or invest, while 30% are using it to pay off debts.
Only a small number of people are spending their surplus income on lifestyle upgrades (9%) or travel and leisure (4%).
Among different job sectors, professionals in emerging tech fields are the top savers, with 76% putting aside their surplus income. They are followed by employees in the auto industry (63%) and pharma (57%). Workers in FMCG (64%) and hospitality (60%+) are showing strong interest in long-term investment and retirement planning.
The report highlights a generational shift where young professionals are choosing long-term financial security over short-term enjoyment.
However, freshers — people in their first job — are more likely to spend. About 31% use the extra money for lifestyle upgrades, and 14% spend it on travel. Still, even among freshers, money habits seem to change quickly. After just one year of work, 69% of professionals focus on saving, compared to only 34% of fresh graduates.
When it comes to cities, Gurgaon (64%) and Delhi (63%) lead in savings. Chennai stands out for debt repayment, with 44% of professionals focusing on clearing dues. Meanwhile, Mumbai tops retirement savings, with 51% putting extra money into retirement funds.
Interestingly, 43% of all respondents said they are either unaware or confused about the new tax regime. Freshers were the most informed, with 64% aware, while 57% of those with over five years of experience also understood the benefits well.
Overall, the survey shows that India’s young workforce is thinking ahead — and making their money work for them.
