Households investments rose €21bn last year

THE value of combined investments held by Irish households grew by 7.4% — or €21 billion — last year, according to latest figures from the CSO.

The new figures measure assets such as bank deposits, shares, pension funds and life insurance, and exclude physical assets like houses. The actual figure for 2009 was €304.5bn; up from €283.5bn in 2008.

Household liabilities — mainly credit card debt and mortgages — fell by €6.2bn, last year, which resulted in an increase of €27.2bn in net financial assets for the year.