Saving rates: when accounting harmonisation reduces differences between countries

Bulletin No. 265, article 1. Differences in advanced economies’ saving rates are a well-known phenomenon: the United States consistently saves less than France, and France saves less than Germany. But which saving rate are we referring to? Gross or net? Accounting standards vary from country to country. For example, in 2025, the saving rate in the United States was 4.6% according to national statisticians but was 10.7% when applying the harmonised method proposed by the OECD and Eurostat. Although the harmonised method reduces differences between countries, it does not eliminate them. …