The average investment portfolio of a woman was about 8 thousand euros, and that of a man – about 14 thousand euros. So why, despite the rapidly growing interest in investing, are there still significantly fewer women among investors than men, and what stops them from starting?
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Investment opportunities are influenced by many more factors than may appear at first glance – income and accumulated capital, career breaks, sharing of family finances, available knowledge, and confidence in making financial decisions. Equally important is when a person starts investing. The longer this decision is postponed, the shorter the time capital has to grow. Therefore, it is more important to ask not why women are not brave enough to invest, but what causes them to start later or allocate smaller amounts for it.
Although the gap remains, women are investing more actively
However, data from the Bank of Lithuania also shows a positive trend – women’s involvement in investing is rapidly increasing. In 2024, at least one investment transaction was made by 64.3 thousand women, and in 2025 – already 88.1 thousand, so their number grew by about 37 percent in a year. Their activity grew even faster: the number of transactions made by women increased from 1.13 million to 2.10 million, or about 86 percent.
However, rapid growth alone does not mean that the gender gap is decreasing. Men’s involvement in investing increased even faster during the same period, so the share of women among active investors in 2025 even decreased by about one percentage point.
What causes a higher threshold to start investing?
One possible reason why women start investing less often is different financial opportunities. Career breaks due to childcare or caring for relatives may contribute to this. During such periods, not only income but also the ability to invest regularly may decrease, shortening the period during which invested capital could grow.
Another barrier may be related to knowledge and confidence in making financial decisions. It may seem that a lot of knowledge must be accumulated before starting to invest. The financial market communication itself also contributes to a higher threshold – complex terminology, a multitude of products, much attention to potential returns, but risk is not always explained as simply. Caution can protect against impulsive decisions, but fear of making mistakes can also lead to constant postponement of investing.
Financial role sharing in the family can also be important. If one partner mainly takes care of investing and long-term capital accumulation, the other may have fewer opportunities to gain practical investing experience and make decisions independently. Over time, this is important not only for the size of the investment portfolio but also for financial independence.
However, international experience shows that the investment gap between men and women should not be seen as inevitable. For example, according to a 2024 study by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 28 percent of women and 43 percent of men had financial investments.
Meanwhile, a 2025 analysis published by Gallup in the USA, based on 2024–2025 survey data, showed no significant difference between men and women owning stocks. Although research methodologies are not uniform and these indicators cannot be directly compared, this suggests that investment accessibility, financial system characteristics, and financial habits formed in society may influence the gap.
Is it worth waiting until we are completely “ready”?
Reducing the investment gap is important not by creating pressure to invest, but by reducing the belief that a large initial capital, the ability to predict market fluctuations, or extensive financial market knowledge is necessary. Such a high threshold of readiness can lead to the first step being constantly postponed.
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It is much more important to understand your financial situation, know what goal you want to save for, and understand the risk you are willing to take. Therefore, instead of asking “do I know enough to start?” it is more useful to ask – “what do I need to know and assess to start responsibly?”
Where to start?
When deciding to start investing, it is important not to look for a single universal recipe but to set a few basic principles that would help make thoughtful decisions.
1. Assess your financial situation and goal. Before starting to invest, it is important to assess income, expenses, and financial obligations and ensure a reserve for unforeseen expenses. Then you should answer what the investment goal is and when the money might be needed. Funds intended for a goal in a few years and capital accumulated for several decades require different approaches to risk.
2. Invest only in what you understand. Before making a decision, you should be able to simply explain to yourself where the money is invested, how returns may arise, how much can be lost, how easily funds can be recovered if needed, and what fees apply. If the answers are unclear, it is worth spending more time gathering information first.
3. Don’t forget diversification. Concentrating all investment funds in one company, project, sector, country, or asset class increases dependence on the results of a single investment. Allocating funds can help reduce this risk.
4. Invest regularly. A predetermined investment rhythm can help rely less on emotions and not wait for a supposedly perfect market moment. Consistency is important for long-term capital accumulation, not just individual decisions.
5. Periodically review your plan. An investment strategy should not be evaluated solely based on short-term market fluctuations. As income, family situation, financial obligations, or goals change, it is worth assessing whether the chosen investment plan still fits them.
Finally, reducing the investment gap between women and men should not mean encouraging women to invest more riskily or imitate men’s financial behavior. It is much more important that more women have opportunities and confidence to independently make long-term financial decisions. The goal of investing is not to take more risks – it is an opportunity to steadily build capital for your future goals.
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