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Investment statistics: What percentage of the UK population invests in the stock market?
According to our 2020 survey, only a third of Brits own shares.
Investing in stocks and shares may seem a bit “wolf of wall street” to some, but just how much of the UK’s population is invested? We take a look at the breakdown of who’s investing, how they’re doing it and what they’ve invested in.
What's in this guide?
Quick overview
- 2.2 million people in the UK (that’s just over 3%) were subscribed to a stocks & shares ISA account in 2019.
- 13.5% of UK shares are owned by individuals (the rest is owned by institutions like banks and investment firms).
- Investors now hold onto their shares 0.8 years on average before selling them. In 1980, the average was 9.7 years, representing a decline of 91.75%.
- The LSE market value experienced its sharpest decline in the last 5 years of 24% in the lead up to the first national lockdown (Dec 2019-Mar 2020).
- The USA accounted for the most FDI into the UK, contributing £39.5 billion (80%).
- The UK’s highest overall investment was in the Netherlands (£5.4 billion) followed by Hong Kong (£3.9 billion).
Who is and who isn’t buying stocks and shares?
The risky world of stocks and shares isn’t for everyone, so who is and who isn’t buying shares in the UK? 
- According to our 2020 survey, 33% of Brits own shares.
- The average stocks & shares ISA account is worth £27,000.
- Only 43.5% of these ISAs were held by women (957,000).
- While 56.5% of stocks & shares ISAs were held by men (1.25 million).
- Men have slightly more money in their stocks & shares ISAs, at £29,500 compared to £25,800 for women.
Coronavirus and investing
After COVID-19 hit the world and made most of us housebound, many people used their time to invest, or at least to consider it. The results from a Finder survey done in May 2020 revealed that 20% of Brits thought the pandemic was a good time to invest, while equally as many thought to wait a bit longer.
| Opinion | Percent |
|---|---|
| No change in opinion | 46.70% |
| Already own shares | 33.40% |
| More likely to invest | 20.40% |
| Less likely to invest | 19.55% |
The generation most likely to invest
While share trading was once the preserve of an elite minority, the democratisation of trading via online trading and investing apps is leading to a huge number of people now considering investing. Finder’s survey shows that three quarters of both generation Z and millennials (75% and 74%) already have or would consider investing during or after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being the generation that you might typically associate with share trading, only 60% of baby boomers said that they would consider investing in the future, while the figure drops to just 41% for the silent generation.
| Generation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Postmillennial/Generation Z (Born after 1996) | 75% |
| Millennials (Born 1981-1996) | 74% |
| Generation X (Born 1965-1980) | 69% |
| Boomers (Born 1946-1964) | 60% |
| Silent (Born 1928-1945) | 41% |
Reasons to invest
The most popular reason for investing overall (55%) was due to the fact that savings accounts offer poor interest rates. 33% are intrigued by companies that do well and would be more likely to invest if they saw one doing well. 22% found that it was a good time to get involved in investing while many companies aren’t doing well.
| Reason to invest | Percent |
|---|---|
| I think savings account interest rates are poor | 54.90% |
| I want to earn dividend income | 51.38% |
| I would invest if I saw that a company was doing well | 33.43% |
| I have easy access to investing platforms | 28.87% |
| I want to invest in ethical companies | 27.30% |
| I would invest if I saw that a company wasn't doing well | 22.21% |
| More people appear to be investing now and I want to get involved | 16.68% |
Generational: Reasons to invest
Why is the interest in investing higher now than before? Fundamental shifts are happening in retail investing: younger generations seem to be embracing the idea as it becomes more accessible via apps.
Of those who are planning to invest, over a quarter of both generation Z and millennials (28% and 26%) say the market crash has made them more likely to invest over the next 12 months. This is almost three times higher than the silent generation (10%) and significantly higher than baby boomers (16%).
Many generation Z and millennials said that dedicated platforms and apps had made them more likely to invest (27% and 32% respectively).
| Generation | It's more accessible due to apps | The apps are cheaper | I want to invest while prices are cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postmillennial/Generation Z (Born after 1996) | 27% | 17% | 25% |
| Millennials (Born 1981-1996) | 32% | 24% | 23% |
| Generation X (Born 1965-1980) | 16% | 11% | 12% |
| Boomers (Born 1946-1964) | 11% | 8% | 10% |
| Silent (Born 1928-1945) | 8% | 9% | 4% |
Millennials are also the group most attracted to dividends; 42% cited them as a reason to invest. Freetrade’s Viktor Nebehaj says, “We’ve noticed that the vast majority of those investing in [dividend stocks] are millennials. They really, really love dividends.”
Women in investing
What is causing fewer women than men to invest in the UK? See our women in investing page for the latest statistics.
- Of the 253 fund managers in the sample looked at by Finder, there were more men called Richard, David, Nick or James than there were women.
- Around 4 in 10 women (39%) said they had money currently invested in some way (either a share, fund, ETF or private pension). This is compared to around 6 in 10 men (59%).
- 79% of women aged 18-24 and 60% of women aged 25-34 said they currently hold at least one investment.
- 35% of women aged 45-54 and 26% of women aged over 55 said they currently hold at least one investment.
- There is at least one woman in a management role at 23% of “ethical” funds, compared to just 12% of regular funds.
Investor behaviour
The stock market is in constant transition, and over time, investor behaviour has changed.
- Investors are now holding onto their shares for 0.8 years on average before selling them. In 1980, the average was 9.7 years, representing a decline of 91.75%.
- What method has worked out the best so far in 2020? We decided to start the year with £1,000* placed in some of the most popular investments from last year, and in the best savings account available on Finder. Follow our live tracker to see which method is currently on top and use our investment calculator to explore possible returns when investing in these methods.
Most popular ways to invest: Movers and shakers
Fintech is quietly revolutionising retail investing in much the same way that challengers like Revolut, Monzo and Starling Bank have transformed banking – by breaking down the biggest barriers to entry: ease-of-use and cost.
Historically, the share market has been one of the greatest creators of wealth for people around the world, but it’s been limited to those that have access.”
The aptly-named Robinhood was the first to offer commission-free trading for US retail investors in 2015, and this has since been replicated by other disruptors, primarily as a way to attract new customers.
The drop in fees has been accompanied by an “appification” of investing platforms, both among established platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown, AJ Bell and Fidelity, and challengers like Trading 212, Degiro and eToro. The fast-growing challengers still have a long way to go to catch the incumbents, but their influence is changing the whole market.
The next big challenge is engaging a new audience, and it seems the time is right. A survey we ran in 2018 showed that only 22% of Brits owned stocks and shares and 49% had no plans to invest. In 2020, 33% said they owned shares and only 33% said they had no plans to invest. In the space of two years, we’ve seen the proportion of Brits who invest leap by 11 percentage points. This is likely to increase, but it will take work.
Our biggest competitor is not Hargreaves Lansdown, it’s the notion that you should not bother investing. It’s not understanding investing as a lifestyle choice.”
London Stock Exchange (UK) trading: Market value
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is the main stock exchange in the UK and the biggest in Europe. The total market value of companies trading on the London Stock Exchange fluctuates over time. Since 2015, the highest total market value of London Stock Exchange trading came in December 2016 at £4.58 trillion.
Following this, the London Stock Exchange has been falling in market value. In particular, the London Stock Exchange has taken a nosedive during 2020, due in most part to a mass selling of shares generated by the concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Since July 2019, the London Stock Exchange has seen a fall of £950 billion (-23.3%).
| Date | London Stock Exchange (UK) trading: Market value |
|---|---|
| Jan 2021 | £3,587,800,000,000 |
| Dec 2020 | £3,639,250,000,000 |
| Nov 2020 | £3,447,890,000,000 |
| Oct 2020 | £3,067,020,000,000 |
| Sept 2020 | £3,165,170,000,000 |
| Aug 2020 | £3,195,640,000,000 |
| Jul 2020 | £3,117,241,000,000 |
| Jun 2020 | £3,268,833,000,000 |
| May 2020 | £3,207,470,000,000 |
| Apr 2020 | £3,083,863,000,000 |
| Mar 2020 | £3,002,421,000,000 |
| Feb 2020 | £3,549,254,000,000 |
| Jan 2020 | £3,833,213,000,000 |
| Dec 2019 | £3,925,475,000,000 |
| Nov 2019 | £3,913,087,000,000 |
| Oct 2019 | £3,851,289,000,000 |
| Sep 2019 | £4,015,945,000,000 |
| Aug 2019 | £3,931,404,000,000 |
| Jul 2019 | £4,065,240,000,000 |
| Jun 2019 | £3,967,330,000,000 |
| May 2019 | £3,827,820,000,000 |
| Apr 2019 | £4,013,707,000,000 |
| Mar 2019 | £3,939,888,000,000 |
| Feb 2019 | £3,868,988,000,000 |
| Jan 2019 | £3,800,088,000,000 |
| Dec 2018 | £3,786,522,000,000 |
| Nov 2018 | £3,881,760,000,000 |
| Oct 2018 | £3,994,953,000,000 |
| Sep 2018 | £4,195,035,000,000 |
| Aug 2018 | £4,156,246,000,000 |
| Jul 2018 | £4,272,837,000,000 |
| Jun 2018 | £4,213,177,000,000 |
| May 2018 | £4,223,066,000,000 |
| Apr 2018 | £4,200,906,000,000 |
| Mar 2018 | £3,948,954,000,000 |
| Feb 2018 | £4,062,972,000,000 |
| Jan 2018 | £4,188,250,000,000 |
| Dec 2017 | £4,234,741,000,000 |
| Nov 2017 | £4,094,143,000,000 |
| Oct 2017 | £4,185,550,000,000 |
| Sep 2017 | £3,985,769,000,000 |
| Aug 2017 | £4,005,050,000,000 |
| Jul 2017 | £3,956,942,000,000 |
| Jun 2017 | £4,053,633,000,000 |
| May 2017 | £4,319,539,000,000 |
| Apr 2017 | £4,225,834,000,000 |
| Mar 2017 | £4,274,500,000,000 |
| Feb 2017 | £4,352,432,000,000 |
| Jan 2017 | £4,581,856,000,000 |
| Dec 2016 | £4,582,465,000,000 |
| Nov 2016 | £4,352,493,000,000 |
| Oct 2016 | £4,391,835,000,000 |
| Sep 2016 | £4,383,843,000,000 |
| Aug 2016 | £4,350,093,000,000 |
| Jul 2016 | £4,264,649,000,000 |
| Jun 2016 | £4,069,373,000,000 |
| May 2016 | £3,921,798,000,000 |
| Apr 2016 | £3,945,707,000,000 |
| Mar 2016 | £3,891,721,000,000 |
| Feb 2016 | £3,879,397,000,000 |
| Jan 2016 | £3,823,464,000,000 |
| Dec 2015 | £3,957,880,000,000 |
| Nov 2015 | £4,040,399,000,000 |
| Oct 2015 | £4,001,288,000,000 |
| Sep 2015 | £3,828,897,000,000 |
| Aug 2015 | £3,934,082,000,000 |
| Jul 2015 | £4,200,193,000,000 |
| Jun 2015 | £4,200,608,000,000 |
| May 2015 | £4,361,595,000,000 |
| Apr 2015 | £4,335,386,000,000 |
| Mar 2015 | £4,260,061,000,000 |
| Feb 2015 | £4,239,613,000,000 |
| Jan 2015 | £4,094,639,000,000 |
Individuals vs Companies: Who owns UK shares?
Shares in the UK are traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). These shares are available to buy by any individual or company around the world. So who owns the most?
- The number of UK shares owned by individuals has been increasing, with individuals now owning 13.5%.
- The majority of shares are owned by people or businesses overseas, at 54.9%.
| Owner | 2018 | 2016 | 2014 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of the world | 54.90% | 53.90% | 53.70% | 53.30% |
| Individuals | 13.50% | 12.30% | 12.40% | 10.60% |
| Unit trusts | 9.60% | 9.50% | 9.10% | 9.50% |
| Other financial institutions | 8.10% | 8.10% | 7.10% | 6.60% |
| Insurance companies | 4.00% | 4.90% | 5.90% | 6.20% |
| Private non-financial companies | 2.60% | 2.20% | 2.00% | 2.30% |
| Pension funds | 2.40% | 3.00% | 3.00% | 4.70% |
| Banks | 2.10% | 1.80% | 1.40% | 1.90% |
| Investment trusts | 1.40% | 2.10% | 1.80% | 1.70% |
| Public sector | 0.90% | 1.10% | 2.60% | 2.50% |
| Charities | 0.50% | 1.00% | 1.10% | 0.60% |
UK Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. So how much money has been invested by the UK and into the UK?
- Inward FDI fell from £80.6 billion in 2017 to £49.4 billion in 2018.
- The USA accounted for the most FDI into the UK, contributing £39.5 billion (80%).
- Outward FDI totalled £6.3 billion in 2018, down from £99.5 billion in 2017.
- The UK’s highest overall investment was in the Netherlands (£5.4 billion) followed by Hong Kong (£3.9 billion).
Sources used
- Finder Investing whitepaper
- Stock Market Clock
- House of Commons Library
- London Stock Exchange
- World Bank
- Block-Builders
- Gov.uk
Click here for more research. For all media enquiries, please contact:
Matt Mckenna
UK Communications Manager
T: +44 20 8191 8806
UK Communications Manager
T: +44 20 8191 8806
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