Investing in stocks and shares has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years thanks to the rise of fee-free trading apps and interest in “meme” stocks. We look into just how many people in the UK invest, with breakdowns of who is investing and what they have invested in.
In 2026, almost 3 in 5 Brits (58%) have invested – an estimated 31.7 million people – an increase from the 54% of Brits who had invested in 2025. There is still a gender gap in investing, as 49% of women have invested, compared to 66% of men.
However, the number of women investing has risen from 46% in 2025 and is up significantly from 32% at the start of 2023.
2 in 5 Brits (41%) have invested in stocks and shares as of 2026 – including stocks and shares ISAs – making it the most popular investment type. This equates to around 22.6 million UK adults.
27% have invested in index funds, while 20% have invested in exchange-traded funds or ETFs.
If you are one of those people – or you’re considering investing – it’s worth keeping your allowances before tax in mind. For example, you can use a dividend tax calculator to work out whether you’ll pay tax on any dividends.
Stocks and shares – including stocks and shares ISAs – are the most common investment type, followed by bonds, which 29% of UK adults have invested in at some stage. Index funds are also relatively popular, with 27% of people investing in them at some stage.
Although it is a more volatile and high-risk investment type, almost a quarter of Brits (23%) have invested in cryptocurrencies or digital tokens.
Less popular investment types include ready-made portfolios (20%), ETFs (18%), options or futures (18%), Forex (18%), ESG investments (16%) and CFDs (13%).
| Investment type | I have current investments | I have invested previously | I have never invested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks and shares (inc. ISAs) | 26% | 15% | 59% |
| Bonds | 15% | 14% | 71% |
| Index funds | 14% | 13% | 73% |
| Cryptocurrencies/ digital tokens | 12% | 11% | 77% |
| Ready-made portfolios | 10% | 10% | 80% |
| Options/Futures | 11% | 7% | 82% |
| Forex (foreign exchange) | 10% | 8% | 82% |
| ETFs (exchange-traded funds) | 10% | 8% | 82% |
| ESG | 8% | 8% | 84% |
| CFDs (contracts for difference) | 8% | 5% | 87% |
69% of generation Z (aged 18-28) has invested at some point in their lives, the highest percentage of all the generations except the silent generation (aged 80+), where 78% have invested.
The popularity among the youngest generation of adults is interesting and could speak to the increasing popularity of trading apps, which target beginners and those starting out with small amounts.
Generation Z are closely followed by millennials (aged 29-44), with two-thirds (66%) having placed money into an investment of some kind.
Those in middle age are – perhaps surprisingly – the least likely to have invested. Around half of both Generation X (aged 45-60) and baby boomers (aged 61-79) have invested at some point.
| Generation | Percentage who have invested |
|---|---|
| Generation Z (18-28) | 69% |
| Millennials (28-43) | 66% |
| Generation X (44-59) | 49% |
| Baby boomers (60-78) | 50% |
| Silent generation (79+) | 78% |
Londoners lead the way when it comes to investors, with an impressive 3 in 4 (74%) investing as of 2026. The South West comes in second place with 62%, followed by Scotland in third place with 60%.
Yorkshire and The Humber and the North East of England have the lowest percentage of investors at 49% each.
| Region | Percentage who have invested |
|---|---|
| Greater London | 74% |
| South West | 62% |
| Scotland | 60% |
| West Midlands | 57% |
| East of England | 57% |
| East Midlands | 57% |
| Northern Ireland | 55% |
| South East | 55% |
| Wales | 52% |
| North West | 50% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 49% |
| North East | 49% |
Finder commissioned Censuswide to carry out a nationally representative survey of adults aged 18+. A total of 2,000 people were questioned throughout Great Britain between 9 and 11 February 2026, with representative quotas for gender, age and region. The online survey has a margin of error of ±2.2% at a 95% confidence level. Censuswide follows the MRS Code of Conduct, ESOMAR principles, and is a member of the British Polling Council.
Sophie Barber
Communications Manager
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