Finances
Survey: Young people want to invest heavily in stocks
The bull from the bronze sculpture “Bull and Bear” in front of the building of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Photo: Frank Rumpenhorst / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
During the corona pandemic, young people in particular grappled with their finances. According to one study, they are more open to stock savings than older generations.
According to a survey, young people want to invest particularly heavily in stocks, funds and also crypto currencies.
In a study by the social trading platform Wikifolio, they were more open to this than the average of those surveyed. At the same time, the survey, in which 1,273 people took part, confirms the general trend towards securities savings.
When asked which types of investment private investors would like to invest more in over the next five years, stocks come first with 35 percent, followed by index funds (ETFs) with 30 percent and investment funds (24). One in five would like to invest more in cryptocurrencies, the savings account only follows afterwards (14).
In the group of 18 to 25 year olds, the proportion of those who want to invest more in stocks was even higher, at 43 percent, followed by investment funds (41) and private pension insurance (40). ETFs and crypto investments each come to 35 percent. Noticeable: The savings book is also extremely popular with young people (31).
Number of shareholders increases
Given the low interest rates, more people are investing in stocks, often through funds. According to figures from Deutsches Aktieninstitut, the number of shareholders in Germany rose to its highest level in almost 20 years in 2020. Younger people in particular have used the Corona crisis to deal with their finances.
The Wikifolio survey also shows, however, that savings accounts and overnight money accounts continue to be the most popular forms of investment across all age groups. 40 percent said they invested money there. 24 percent and 19 percent of those surveyed used stocks and investment funds.
Among all respondents, old-age provision is the most important reason to save (62 percent), followed by asset accumulation (52) and provision for emergencies (47). Every sixth person saves for the purchase of real estate.