Men Own More Stocks Than Women: The Gender Disparity in Stock Ownership
In 2024, approximately six out of ten stock owners were men, a ratio that has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, according to Euroclear Sweden’s 2024 shareholder report. While men dominate stock ownership, women’s share of the market value on the Swedish stock exchange has increased by 1% in the last two years. Notably, Saab emerged as the star performer of 2024, attracting 84,000 new shareholders and claiming the twelfth spot among Swedes’ favorite stocks.
The Rise of Women Investors in Saab
Despite the surge in interest in Saab in recent years, the rate at which women are increasing their ownership has been slower compared to men. As a result, their share of all owners has declined over time. Since 2010, women’s ownership in Saab has decreased from 33% to 25% last year. In contrast, men’s ownership has increased from 61% to 63%, peaking at 68% in 2020 before declining. The remaining owners consist of legal entities and foreign investors.
Top Companies Attracting Female Shareholders
In the first two months of this year, Saab continued to gain momentum, with 18,900 new female shareholders, according to statistics compiled by Euroclear Sweden for Afv. Leading the list are Investor and newcomer Apotea. The companies that saw the most significant exodus of female shareholders since the beginning of the year include real estate company Neobo, telecom giant Ericsson, and investment firm Kinnevik.
By the end of 2024, there were 1.3 million male and 0.9 million female stock owners in Sweden. Men hold a larger share of the market value compared to women, with men owning approximately 67% of the market value and women owning 33% at the end of 2024, as reported by Euroclear Sweden.
The gender disparity in stock ownership is a complex issue that continues to shape the landscape of the financial markets. As more women enter the world of investing, there is potential for greater diversification and inclusivity in the stock market. However, addressing the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in stock ownership remains crucial for achieving gender equality in the realm of finance.