In Latvia, 11% of residents invest in stocks, the other 89% invest their hopes in lottery tickets

SEB bank has found that only 11 percent of Latvia's residents invest in financial instruments. The remaining 89 percent, according to the bank's assessment, most likely think that stocks are something related to theater and bonds are part of wedding ceremonies.

To educate the nation, SEB has created an investment game with virtual 10,000 monetary units. It's like Monopoly, only without houses and hotels, but with a real opportunity to feel what it's like to be poor on the stock exchange. One Liepāja resident has already commented: "I'd rather take a walk through Jūrmala park among the old trees than risk virtual money. At least there I can't lose my pension."

The game winner will get 5,000 euros and a trip to New York. The second place winner gets 2,500 euros, which in Riga is enough for one week in an apartment, but in Liepāja - a month by the sea with a view of the horizon. The third place prize is 1,000 euros, which is enough to buy one and a half square meters of apartment in Riga, but in Liepāja - a whole two.

Survey results reveal that Latvians are afraid to invest because they think large sums are necessary. Apparently no one has told them you can start with 50 euros - exactly what a ticket to Riga and back costs. But why risk money when you can simply stay in Liepāja and enjoy life without stress?