Millions of Britons lack confidence with investing, survey shows

Business & FinancePersonal Finance
26 May 2026 • 1:50 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Millions of Britons lack confidence with investing, survey shows

  • Fewer than half (44 per cent) of British people consider themselves confident investors, with a significant gender disparity showing men are much more assured than women.
  • A survey by Aviva found that 61 per cent of respondents believe some individuals are “born investors” rather than developing the skill over time.
  • Nearly a third (32 per cent) of investors only ventured into the market later in life due to personal interest, and 42 per cent wished they could change past investment decisions.
  • Two-thirds (66 per cent) of those surveyed expressed a desire to change their attitude towards investing and build confidence, with this interest peaking among 18 to 24-year-olds.
  • Alistair McQueen, head of savings and retirement at Aviva, said that investing confidence is learned over time, suggesting that starting small and simple can help build assurance.

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