CLOSING THE GAP: WHY WE NEED MORE GIRLS THAT INVEST
For Women's History Month, let’s talk about money. More specifically, let’s talk about why girls should be investing it.
For years, investing has been seen as a man’s game, but that narrative is changing. More women are entering the investment world, taking charge of their financial futures, and making informed money moves. Still, there is plenty of room for growth. By closing the investment gap, women can build long-term wealth, increase financial security, and even inspire future generations to take control of their money.
So, why should girls start investing early? And how can we foster a love for finance among young women? Let’s dive in.
Women Are Investing More , But There’s Still Work to Do
The good news? Women are investing more than ever before.
A 2021 survey by Fidelity Investments found that 67% of women were investing outside of their retirement accounts, compared to just 44% in 2018. That’s an impressive jump. And since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of women interested in investing has increased by 50%. Clearly, more women are recognizing the importance of growing their wealth beyond traditional savings.
Other statistics paint a similar picture of progress:
McKinsey & Co. found that between 2015 and 2020, the number of married women making financial and investing decisions increased by 30%.
A 2021 UBS survey showed that 68% of women had started discussing finances in their homes, which is a huge step toward normalizing money conversations.
In 2023, Fidelity Investments reported that 60% of women were investing in the stock market.
These numbers show that women are stepping up, learning about investing, and taking action. But even with this progress, there’s still a gender gap in investing. If women invested at the same rate as men, BNY Mellon Investment Management estimated in 2022 that there would be an additional $3.22 trillion in assets under management from private individuals. That’s a staggering amount of untapped financial power.
The Benefits of More Women Investing
When women invest, everyone wins. Here’s why:
Financial Independence and Security – Investing provides women with a sense of financial freedom. It allows them to build wealth, prepare for life’s unexpected challenges, and retire comfortably without relying solely on pensions or social security.
Closing the Gender Wealth Gap – Women typically earn less than men due to the gender pay gap. By investing, women can make their money work harder, potentially closing that gap over time.
Stronger Families and Communities – Studies show that when women have financial stability, they reinvest in their families and communities. Whether it’s funding their children’s education, supporting local businesses, or contributing to charitable causes, women’s financial power has a ripple effect.
Greater Representation in Finance and Investing – The more women invest, the more likely they are to pursue careers in finance. Currently, finance-related fields are still dominated by men, but increased female participation in investing could change that.
Why Girls Should Learn to Invest Early
One of the biggest ways to close the gender investing gap is by starting financial education early. Young girls should learn how to manage money and invest while they are still in school. The earlier they start, the more confident they will be when it comes time to make financial decisions as adults.
Right now, many girls grow up without ever learning about stocks, compound interest, or investment strategies. Instead, they are often taught to save but not necessarily how to grow their money. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts, who are more likely to be encouraged to take financial risks and invest.
By introducing girls to investing at a young age, we can shift the narrative. They will grow up knowing that investing isn’t just for men in suits on Wall Street—it’s for everyone. When girls learn about investing, they become more confident in managing their money, taking financial risks, and building wealth for their future.
When young girls learn about investing, they gain:
Confidence in managing money – Instead of seeing money as something intimidating, they learn how to make it grow.
Better decision-making skills – Investing teaches patience, risk assessment, and long-term planning—skills that are valuable in all areas of life.
A head start in building wealth – The earlier they start, the more they can take advantage of compound interest and market growth.
Check out our interview with Sofi on why we advocate for girls that invest!
Encouraging More Women in Finance Careers
Beyond personal investing, fostering an interest in finance among young girls can lead to more women pursuing careers in finance. Right now, the finance industry is still predominantly male. Today, women are still underrepresented in investment management, financial planning, and banking. Women hold only a fraction of leadership positions in financial firms, and the number of female fund managers remains low.
But if more girls grow up learning about finance and investing, they may be more likely to consider careers in the field. This could lead to more women becoming financial advisors, investment analysts, portfolio managers, and even CEOs of financial firms. Having more women in these roles can bring fresh perspectives to the industry and help create financial products and services that better serve a diverse range of people.
How KidVestors Helps Girls Learn About Finance and Investing
At KidVestors, we believe financial education should be engaging, accessible, and—most importantly—fun. Our platform is designed to help kids, especially young girls, develop a love for learning about money, investing, and financial responsibility.
Through interactive games, challenges, and real-world investment scenarios, we make finance approachable. We empower girls to:
Understand the basics of saving, investing, and growing wealth
Learn how to analyze stocks and make smart financial decisions
See themselves as future investors, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders
By fostering financial confidence at a young age, we’re helping to close the investing gap and build a future where women are just as likely as men to be active investors.
Women are making incredible strides in the investing world, but there’s still work to do. By teaching girls the importance of managing money early, we can help create a generation of financially empowered women who invest, build wealth, and lead in the financial industry.
It’s not just about money—it’s about independence, confidence, and opportunity. And the earlier girls start investing, the brighter their financial future will be.
Teach your girls finance, investing, and entrepreneurship: Enroll your students
FINANCIAL EDUCATION & INVESTING FOR KIDS AND TEENS
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