THEn an era in which economic independence represents one of the fundamental pillars of emancipation, a worrying figure still emerges: The gender gap in financial competences continues to persistwith concrete repercussions on investment choices and, consequently, on the construction of long -term assets. The latest investigation conducted by Yougov For the digital bank N26which involved over 6,300 participants in five European countries, offers an illuminating cross -section of the situation in our country: Only 11% of women intend to increase the budget for investments in 2025.
More similar objectives, different approaches
The most interesting figure that emerges from the investigation, however, is another: both genres are equally expressing the desire to better manage their expenses, improve financial planning and save more regularly. But it is when you enter the specific territory of the investments that the scissor widens Significantly: only 15% of Italian women consider investments a priority, against 21% of men. This difference is not accidental nor can it be liquidated as a simple question of preferences. At the basis of this gap there is a complex intertwining of cultural, educational and psychological factors that deserve an in -depth analysis.
Women and Finance: the deep roots of housing
The numbers are clear: just 36% of Italian women he believes he has the skills necessary to effectively manage his finances. An alarming figure, especially if compared with that of countries like Austria, 63%, and Germany, 60%, where the percentages are even double. This sense of inadequacy inevitably translates into a more cautious and conservative approach towards investments, received as an unknown and potentially risky territory.
The question of women and finance is an increasingly in vogue question, but the disparity resists (Getty Images)
Anxiety and sense of inadequacy: why?
The financial anxiety that derives from it is not a marginal phenomenon: Almost an Italian woman out of two declares to try stress when she thinks of her own economic situationa percentage higher than the European average of 42%. It is a vicious circle in which The lack of trust in one’s skills feeds anxietywhich in turn discourages learning and experimentation in the financial field.
A systemic problem, not individual
It would be simplistic to attribute this gap, to an alleged “natural” aversion of women towards risk. The question is much deeper and has its roots In centuries of exclusion of women from money management and from family financial decisions. Historically, heritage management was considered a male prerogative, while women were delegated the daily administration of the house.
Hard cultural rates to die
This cultural legacy has had profound consequences on the way we talk about money to girls and boys. While boys are often transmitted the importance of “making their money”, Girls are mainly taught to save money And to manage daily expenses carefully. It is therefore not surprising that, still today, many women perceive investments as something foreign to their horizon of skills. To this, then, The persistent genre wage gap must be addedwhich objectively reduces the ability of women to set aside resources to be allocated to investments. With less money available, obviously the propensity to risk decreases naturally, since the consequences of any losses would be more heavy.
Financial education, Empowerment tool
An encouraging figure, however, emerges from the investigation, and is The strong motivation of Italian women to improve their financial competences: 60% declare, in fact, a concrete interest in financial education, a percentage higher than the European overall average of 50%. This desire for learning represents an extraordinary opportunity to reduce gender gap in investments. Financial literacy is notIndeed, only a matter of technical knowledgebut a real Empowerment tool that can radically transform the relationship of women with money, freeing them from anxiety and insecurity which too often characterize this relationship.
Programs also targeted to increase self -confidence
To be effective, financial education programs must however take into account gender specificities. It is not simply a question of teaching the operating mechanisms of the financial markets, but also to face The psychological and cultural aspects that influence women’s financial decisions. It is necessary to work on the sense of self -efficacy, on trust in one’s decision -making skills and on the reduction of stereotypes which, still today, associate financial competence to the male gender.
Women and finance: towards a future of greater equity
Filling the gender gap in investments is not only a matter of social justice, but also an economic necessity. In a context characterized by the lengthening of life expectancyon average higher for women, and by the progressive downsizing of public pension systems, the ability to build a personal assets through prudent investments, it becomes essential to guarantee economic safety in the third age.
Financial institutions must do their part
Financial institutions have a crucial role in this process. Develop products and services that take into account the specific needs of womenoffering personalized advice and promoting financial education are strategies that can contribute significantly to reducing gender gap in the sector. Parallel, It is essential to work on a cultural level to unhinge stereotypes which still influence the relationship of women with money. This means rethink the way we talk about finance in the family, at school and in the mediapromoting positive models of women competent in the financial field and normalizing the idea that The active management of money is a universal competence, not linked to the genre.
Support change
The data on the desire of Italian women to improve their financial competences bodes well for the future. If this interest will be adequately supported From concrete initiatives of education and awareness, we could assist in the coming years to a progressive rebalancing of the gender gap in investments, with benefits not only for individual women, but for the entire economic and social system.
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