Across cultures and generations, women and investing have been viewed through a different lens than men. Investing has often been framed as complex, high-stakes, and, at times, unwelcoming. The outcome is a gender investment gap that persists. Women earn income, save, and manage household finances, yet women remain underrepresented in the world of investing.
Why do women invest less than men, see themselves as investors less often, and hesitate more financial decisions? This imbalance has lasting effects. The women’s wealth gap means that despite living longer, women retire with less, putting them at risk when they need stability the most. Closing the gender investment gap builds financial independence for women, and creates more opportunities for wealth, security, and long-term stability.
In honor of Women’s Day 2025, we explore the gender investment gap and break down key investment gap statistics.
What is the gender investment gap?
The gender investment gap reflects a financial divide that leaves women investors with fewer opportunities to build long-term wealth. Despite control over significant financial resources, women invest less than men, which affects their ability to generate passive income or achieve financial independence. This gap is not a matter of choice but the result of deep-rooted social and economic barriers.
Risk aversion leads to missed opportunities
Women prioritize financial security over growth, commonly keeping money in savings rather than exploring investment strategies for women that balance risk and reward.
Caution is valuable, but avoiding investments entirely means missing out on the long-term gains that build wealth. Expanding access to alternative investments for women, could help create diversified financial strategies.
> Understanding investment risks
Earnings gaps translate into investing gaps
Women, on average, earn less than men, leaving them with less disposable income to invest. With smaller investments, returns grow more slowly, compounding the women’s wealth gap and making financial independence for women more difficult to achieve later in life.
> How to create multiple streams of income
Cultural expectations influence financial decisions
Across cultures, investing has traditionally been framed as a responsibility for men, while women have been encouraged to focus on stability.
In many households, financial decision-making has long been a men-dominated space, limiting conversations about financial literacy for women and reinforcing the perception that investing is not for women. This is now changing globally, but progress varies across regions, and social expectations still play a role in shaping women’s participation in investing.
This is not just an imbalance in investment choices. The gender investment gap limits generational wealth, and deepens economic disparities.
> How to earn money from home
10 key statistics on women and investing
The gender investment gap is not an abstract issue. Data comparing male and female investors shows that despite economic progress, women remain underrepresented in financial markets. These investment gap statistics highlight the scale of the problem and why closing the gender investment gap is essential for women’s financial security.
1. 71% of women invest in stocks
More women invest today than ever before. This signals progress, but disparities remain. Investing is the most effective way to grow wealth over time, yet many women still hesitate to enter financial markets.
Savings provide stability but lose value to inflation, while investments generate compounding returns, where reinvested earnings lead to exponential growth. Without investing, women risk falling behind financially, limiting opportunities to close the gender investment gap.
The first step is to start. Even small investments can grow significantly over time.
> Understanding risk and return
> A beginner’s guide to building long-term wealth
Source: Fidelity
2. Women hold 32% of their portfolios in equities vs. 45% for men
A more conservative approach results in larger cash holdings and lower-risk investments, limiting exposure to higher-return opportunities.
Holding too much cash or fixed-income assets prevents a portfolio from keeping up with inflation. Stocks and other investments have historically delivered higher returns, helping to build wealth over time. Limited exposure to growth assets slows wealth accumulation, making it harder to achieve long-term financial independence for women.
A well-diversified strategy that includes equities, bonds, and passive income for women helps long-term financial stability.
> What are bonds?
> A beginner’s guide to the stock market
> All about portfolio diversification
Source: McKinsey
3. The gender confidence gap affects investment decisions
Women know more about investing than they think. When asked about diversification, 63% of women select “don’t know,” compared to 43% of men, despite answering correctly at similar rates. When the “don’t know” option is removed, women’s correct answers rise by 14%, proving hesitation—not lack of knowledge—holds them back.
Source: The Fed
4. Women earn 5% returns on average vs. 6% for men
This 1% gap leads to weaker compounding effects and slower wealth accumulation. Lower returns mean women must invest more to reach the same financial goals. The good news? Women are already strong investors, and with small adjustments, such as greater confidence in risk-taking, improved asset allocation, and exploring investment strategies for women, they can close the gap and maximize long-term returns.
> What is risk diversification?
> 10 investment strategies for new investors
Source: McKinsey
5. Women’s assets are set to expand 3x faster than men’s
Women’s financial power is growing rapidly. Their assets are increasing at an 8.1% annual growth rate, compared to men’s at 2.7%.
As women accumulate more wealth, their influence over global financial markets expands. Their investment decisions will determine which industries receive funding, shape corporate leadership, and drive economic priorities.
A larger share of capital in the hands of women investors can lead to more inclusive financial products, greater investment in areas like healthcare and sustainability, and a shift toward more diverse decision-making in the economy.
Source: McKinsey
6. If women invested at the same rate as men, billions more would flow into capital markets each year
Women invest less overall, but if they participated at the same rate as men, global capital markets would see an influx of billions in additional investments annually.
The gender investment gap isn’t just an issue for individual investors—it affects the entire economy. Increased investment by women investors would drive market growth, improve financial resilience, and create more opportunities for wealth generation.
Source: DWS
7. Only 14% of senior investment roles in European VC firms are held by women
Women remain underrepresented in financial leadership. Only 14% of senior venture capital roles belong to women, despite them making up 35% of lower-ranked positions.
The absence of women in finance at the highest levels limits diversity in decision-making, reinforcing biases in capital allocation. More representation in senior investment roles could lead to increased opportunities to close the gender investment gap.
Source: EIF
8. Gen Z women invest 10.4% of their income, Millennials invest 9.5%
Younger generations are prioritizing investing more than ever. Gen Z women invest 10.4% of their income, while Millennials invest 9.5%. While younger women dedicate a higher share of their earnings to investing, Gen X and Boomer women saw the biggest jump in stock market participation, increasing by 18% and 23% year-over-year.
Even with this progress, income disparities and cautious investment approaches mean that women still accumulate wealth at a slower pace. Higher wages, smarter investment strategies for women, and increased access to alternative investments for women can help bridge the gap and accelerate financial growth.
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Source: Fidelity
9. Women hold trillions in financial assets globally
Women’s collective wealth is larger than the GDPs of some of the world’s biggest economies—and growing fast. By 2030, their financial assets are expected to reach record levels, reshaping global investment trends.
More wealth means more influence. As women gain control over larger pools of capital, they shape where investments flow, which businesses grow, and how industries evolve. This shift presents an opportunity to redefine financial systems and shape industries. A more balanced investment landscape strengthens economies and expands opportunities for all investors.
10. Women miss out on €5,000–€10,000 in annual returns
Over a lifetime, this shortfall can amount to hundreds of thousands in lost wealth, making it harder to retire comfortably or achieve lasting stability. Without strong investment growth, women risk relying more on savings, working longer, or adjusting their financial goals.
> How much money do you need to retire?
> Steps to achieving financial independence
Source: McKinsey
How to close the gender investment gap
The best way to close the gender investment gap is to take action. Investing doesn’t have to be complicated or require large sums of money. Small, consistent steps can lead to long-term financial growth.
The question now is: how can women invest more and better?
- Start small – Even a small investment can grow over time. The key is to begin.
- Automate investments – Set up recurring contributions to build wealth effortlessly.
- Leverage financial education – Books, courses, and trusted platforms can strengthen knowledge and confidence.
- Explore alternative investments – Diversify beyond stocks with bonds, loans, or real estate.
- Build confidence – Understanding risk and returns makes investing less intimidating and more rewarding.
How to start investing as a woman: Mintos
It’s never too early or too late to start investing. Women are building wealth faster than ever, yet too many still hesitate to take the first step. Closing the gender investment gap starts with action.
Start today. Even small investments can lead to greater financial independence for women and a future where your money works for you.
At Mintos, we’re here to support your investment journey with diverse and inclusive opportunities that fit your goals. Whether you want steady returns, passive income, or a fully diversified portfolio, you can start investing from just €50, making wealth-building accessible to everyone.
Investment options on Mintos
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Disclaimer
This is a marketing communication and in no way should be viewed as investment research, advice, or a recommendation to invest. The value of your investment can go up as well as down, and you may lose part or all of your invested capital. Past performance of financial instruments does not guarantee future returns. Investing in financial instruments involves risk; before investing, consider your knowledge, experience, financial situation, and investment objectives.
Any scenarios or examples provided are for illustrative purposes only. They do not guarantee specific outcomes or returns and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. Actual results may vary based on market conditions, issuer performance, and other factors.
