Daily Times

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of emerging affluent consumers in Pakistan are experiencing upward social mobility, a new Standard Chartered study shows. Of these, 11% are enjoying ‘supercharged’* social mobility, not just relative to the previous generation, but compared to the rest of the socially mobile.

The Emerging Affluent Study 2018 – Climbing the Prosperity Ladder – examines the views of 11,000 emerging affluent consumers – individuals who are earning enough to save and invest – from 11 markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The average figure for social mobility among the emerging affluent across the markets in the study is 59%, and of these 7% are experiencing supercharged social mobility.

Pakistan’s socially mobile, as identified by the study, have had impressive earnings growth, with almost half (44%) enjoying a salary increase of 10% or more in the past year, and more than a third (34%) seeing their earnings jump by 50% or more in the past five years.

In Pakistan the socially mobile in the study are also better educated and achieving higher levels of employment and home ownership than their parents. 89% went to university, compared to 66% of their fathers and less than half (49%) of their mothers; and 83% are in management positions or running their own businesses compared to 65% of their fathers and 28% of their mothers. 88% of the socially mobile own their own home, compared to 81% of their parents at the same age.

Levels of optimism among the emerging affluent in Pakistan are even higher than the reality, with 79% believing they are in a better financial position than their parents compared to the 64% in the study that are actually socially mobile.

The study also reveals that 71% of the emerging affluent in Pakistan believe effective wealth management holds the key to greater social mobility. Investing in financial products is helping them to keep moving up the ladder, with 58% of the emerging affluent saying that this is their strategy for meeting their financial goals and increasing their wealth.

Other findings from the study, now in its fourth year, include: Digital dividends: technology holds the key to financial success

More than two-thirds (70%) of the emerging affluent in Pakistan say their familiarity with digital tools has been vital to their personal success. 73% say online banking makes them feel that they have more control over their money and investments, and 67% say digital money management has helped them get closer to achieving their financial goals.

On-demand advisers alleviate risk aversion Pakistan’s emerging affluent are comfortable going online for financial advice, with the majority (60%) saying they would invest in financial products online if an on-demand adviser was available. Risk is not a problem for the emerging affluent if strong rewards are possible: 58% would accept a high level of risk for a high level of return when investing their money in online financial products.

Commenting on the study Syed Mujtaba Abbas, Head of Retail Banking, said: “These ambitious consumers are on an upward social trajectory: they are surpassing their parents’ success in education, careers and home ownership. As their ambitions and aspirations grow, they’re demanding convenient financial services and digital technology to broaden their access to money management and advance their financial wellbeing. It’s an exciting journey where they are not only improving their own lives, but they are also fuelling growth in some of the world’s most exciting markets.”

Published in Daily Times, October 30^th 2018.