Women and Investing: Why Do They Invest Less Than Men?

March 8, International Women’s Day, serves as an annual reminder of the persistent inequalities between women and men. While wage and career gaps are frequently discussed, another topic remains relatively underdiscussed: financial investment.

In 2025, several studies have shown that women continue to invest significantly less than men, particularly in financial markets. Yet their interest in financial independence and managing their savings is growing. A combination of factors—including a lack of confidence, income disparities, and differing investment strategies—explains this gap, which persists to this day.

Women are still half as likely to invest

According to the 2025 Barometer published by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), women are about half as likely as men to invest in financial products. Specifically, 24% of women report investing in the stock market, in crypto-assets, or through crowdfunding, compared to 45% of men.

This difference is also reflected in the distribution of investors across financial products. Women account for:

• 38% of stock market investors
• 36% of crowdfunding investors
• 26% of crypto-asset investors

Even when considering all individual investors, women remain in the minority. In France, they accounted for about 25% of active stock market investors in 2024, down from 30% two years earlier.

These figures show that the increase in the number of investors in recent years has been driven primarily by men.

Women save money… but take fewer risks

Yet women are no less prudent or financially organized. They save almost as much as men, but tend to put their money into investments considered safe.

This difference is clearly evident in attitudes toward risk. According to the AMF survey, 51% of women say they refuse to take any risks with their investments, compared with 31% of men.

This caution is reflected in a preference for safe investments, such as savings accounts or guaranteed funds. Investments in stocks or financial markets remain less common.

Income disparities also play a role. On average, women have fewer financial assets than men, largely due to the gender pay gap and careers that are sometimes less continuous.

A lack of confidence in financial knowledge

Another important factor is confidence in one's financial skills.

In 2025, only 28% of women feel confident about saving and investing, compared with 51% of men.

This difference is also evident in interest in financial markets. One in two women says she does not follow the stock market or financial markets, compared with just 27% of men.

Similarly, 25% of women say they are interested in stock investments, while that figure rises to 45% among men.

This gap, however, has more to do with perception than with reality. Studies show that when financial literacy is tested, the gender gaps are much smaller.

Investment strategies that are often more conservative

When investing, women generally take a more cautious and long-term approach.

For example, among investors who already hold financial products, women own as many publicly traded stocks as men (about 33%), which shows that once they start investing, their behavior becomes very similar.

On the other hand, certain newer products or those perceived as riskier are still used more frequently by men. This is particularly true of:

• ETFs, held by 10% of women compared with 18% of men
• crypto-assets, held by 20% of women compared with 33% of men.

These differences mainly reflect a more cautious attitude toward risk.

A positive trend among young women

Despite these disparities, certain indicators point to an encouraging trend. The percentage of women who report investing has risen slightly in recent years, from 21% in 2023 to 24% in 2025.

This trend is particularly evident among young women from higher socioeconomic groups. Among women under 35 in the highest socioeconomic groups, nearly one in two (48%) report investing in financial products.

Furthermore, nearly as many women as men now say they make their own investment decisions, with 46% of women compared to 43% of men.

This reflects their growing independence in managing their savings.

An economic and societal challenge

Encouraging more women to invest is a key priority. Investing allows people to grow their savings over the long term and better prepare for their financial future.

In a climate of inflation and economic uncertainty, limiting oneself to very safe investments can limit the potential for wealth growth. Promoting financial literacy and access to investment opportunities could therefore help strengthen women’s economic independence.

In the long term, narrowing the gender gap in investment is not just a matter of equality; it is also an economic issue that can contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth and broader participation in financial markets.

FAQ: Women and Investing

Why do women invest less than men?

Studies point to several factors. On average, women have lower incomes and fewer assets, but they also tend to feel less confident about financial matters. In 2025, 28% of women said they felt comfortable with financial matters, compared with 51% of men.

Do women really invest half as much as men?

Yes. In 2025, 24% of women reported investing in financial products, compared with 45% of men, which amounts to a ratio of about two to one.

Do women take fewer risks when it comes to investing?

Yes, on average. 51% of women say they avoid taking any risks, compared with 31% of men, which partly explains their lower representation in the financial markets.

Do young women invest more?

Yes, the trend is gradually changing. Among women under 35 in higher socioeconomic groups, nearly 48% say they invest in financial products.