OP: Men in Finland hold significantly more investment wealth than women (original) (raw)

The gap in investment wealth between men and women is largely explained by family factors that tend to place a heavier financial burden on women, according to an OP analyst.

In families, discussions about investing and entrepreneurship are more often directed at boys than girls, according to OP Bank. Image: Katriina Laine / Yle

• STT

Finnish men hold on average 62 percent more investment wealth than women, according to a study by OP Bank.

The gap begins to widen after the age of 25, the bank said, drawing on its customer data.

Men also lead when measured by median wealth, though the gap narrows considerably. On a median basis, men hold 11 percent more investment assets than women.

The bank found that investment wealth is highest among older men, whose portfolios have benefited from decades of accumulation and growth.

Figures from Statistics Finland back up the bank's findings.

Hanna Porkka, an executive at OP, said the gap between men's and women's investment wealth has changed little over the past decade. But at the same time, the number of people investing overall has increased.

She noted that the gap in investment wealth between men and women is largely explained by family factors that tend to place a heavier financial burden on women. Men also continue to earn higher average salaries than women, leaving them with more disposable income available for investing.

Financial literacy also plays a role. In families, discussions about investing and entrepreneurship are more often directed at boys than girls, according to Porkka.