For Indian Households, Investing Is Largely About Family, Not Returns: Sebi Investor Survey 2025

Most Indian households plan their finances not just by individual goals, but around family needs. Decisions on saving and investing are closely linked to long-term responsibilities and future milestones, says the Sebi Investor Survey 2025 report.

According to the survey, the most common goals of investors were– children’s education, supporting family members, building wealth and buying a house.  “These goals underscore the emotional and social dimensions of financial behaviour, where investing is seen as a means to empower the family unit and secure generational progress,” notes the survey.

Children’s education is the top priority, particularly among the non-investors. As per the Sebi Investor Survey, 20 per cent of non-investors say education is their main financial goal, compared with 15 per cent among investors. The importance of education is higher among younger adults and women, according to the data. About 30 per cent of millennials identify it as a future priority, while the share among women stands at 25 per cent.

Supporting family members is another key reason households invest. Around 16 per cent of households list family support as one of their main financial goals. This rises to 19 per cent among lower NCCS households, indicating that households with fewer resources tend to invest with specific, practical objectives in mind.

NCCS, as defined in the Sebi Survey report, stands for the New Consumer Classification System, where households were categorised on the basis of the education of the chief earner and ownership of select consumer durables.

The survey also points to clear generational differences. Among Gen Z, defined by Sebi as those between 18 and 28 years, 20 per cent prioritise supporting their families. For the Silver Generation, those above 61 years, the figure is 18 per cent, with investments often aligned to health needs and family responsibilities.

Wealth creation is more important for investor households than for non-investors. According to the survey, 15 per cent of investors say growing wealth is a key objective, compared with 11 per cent among non-investors. This goal is more common among unmarried individuals, at 14 per cent.

Further, some traditional financial goals continue to feature prominently. A child’s marriage accounts for 8 per cent of financial priorities overall. Non-investor households place greater emphasis on this goal, at 8 per cent, compared with 6 per cent among investors. Achieving financial independence is cited by 7 per cent of investor households, versus 5 per cent among non-investors.

Buying a home remains a significant aspiration. The survey shows that 11 per cent of households prioritise purchasing a house. This goal, as noted by the survey, is more important for households living on rent, particularly among singles and those in towns in the Rs 10 to Rs 40 lakh category, both at 15 per cent. For many, home ownership is seen as a way to move from regular rent payments to long-term security, says the Sebi Investor Survey.