Summary of this article
Women are increasingly taking charge of their investment decisions but gap persists
56 per cent of women say they take their investment decisions independently
Indian women are increasingly taking charge of their financial decisions, particularly investments. However, a significant gender gap remains in women taking their financial decisions independently compared with men, according to a report by DSP Mutual Fund.
The study found that 56 per cent of women now make investment decisions independently, a notable rise from 44 per cent earlier. However, this still trails men, among whom 68 per cent say they make investment decisions largely on their own.
The survey of 5,050 respondents across major Indian cities, shows that traditional patterns persist, but women are increasingly participating in financial decision-making. Men remain more likely to take sole responsibility for key financial decisions, such as purchasing insurance, buying property, managing home loans and investing in mutual funds or equities.
Women, on the other hand, more commonly take the lead in household purchases, including daily expenses, buying gold or jewellery and selecting schools for children.
Encouragement from partners and greater financial awareness are emerging as key factors driving women’s growing confidence in investing, the report suggested.
Among women who make independent investment decisions, 18 per cent said they were encouraged by their partners, while others cited learning about investing on their own or believing they should manage investments because they earn their own income.
However, barriers remain despite the progress made. Among women who do not take independent investment decisions, many still cite a lack of confidence or the belief that someone else has greater financial knowledge. Around 42 per cent of women who share decision-making responsibilities said another family member is better at investing, while others said investing felt too complex or that they had made mistakes in the past.
Family Influences Investment Behaviour
Family continues to play a central role in influencing investment behaviour. For women investors, spouses remain the most commonly consulted source when making investment decisions. At the same time, consultation with professional advisors has increased among women since the previous survey, suggesting a gradual shift towards more formal financial guidance.
Online Investment Platforms Gaining Traction
Digital platforms and online investment tools are also gaining traction. The report notes that more investors—especially women—are using online investment platforms, financial advisors and bank relationship managers to guide their decisions.
Social media has become another important channel for engagement, with 51 per cent of women investors saying they actively share or comment on stock-market related content online, compared with 36 per cent of men.
Traditional Investment Products Dominate
In terms of investment preferences, traditional products continue to dominate.
Bank deposits and life insurance remain the most widely held financial products, though adoption of mutual funds and equities has risen significantly since 2022. Despite this, men are still more likely than women to invest in mutual funds and stocks.
Financial Independence, Future Goals Key To Investments
The motivations behind investing are also evolving. Financial independence, planning for future goals and protecting savings from inflation are among the most common triggers for starting to invest. The report found that 48 per cent of respondents said financial independence and security motivated them to begin investing, highlighting the growing importance of wealth creation.
