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A recent survey found that just 15% of women in Ireland feel confident about their investment decisions. That means 85% of women either hold back from investing or do so without conviction.
You may already manage budgets, savings or a business, but when it comes to investing, something’s holding you back. Let’s explore why, and how you can change the story.
What the Numbers Say About Women and Investing
According to a recent survey reported by The Irish Times, just 15% of women in Ireland feel confident about making investment decisions. The study, which gathered responses from 660 people, revealed several telling insights.
Only half of the women surveyed had ever met a financial advisor, and while nearly 60% said they’d like to invest, many felt they lacked the knowledge or guidance to know where to start.
The research also highlighted social factors: 71% of respondents believed that women are judged differently than men when discussing money. Yet there were positives too: 88% said they felt comfortable discussing finances with a partner, and 67% reported that those conversations had a positive impact on their relationship.
Why this matters
The findings highlight more than just a lack of confidence; they reveal a deeper financial gap with long-term consequences. When women hesitate to invest or feel unsure about their choices, they often miss out on years of potential growth and the compounding power that builds real wealth over time.
This isn’t just about investments; it’s about independence, security, and choice. A lower level of investment confidence can result in smaller pension pots, reduced financial flexibility, and a greater reliance on savings that may not keep pace with inflation. For women who already face challenges such as career breaks, part-time work, or a longer life expectancy, that gap can become even wider.
But the story doesn’t end there. The same research shows that many women want to invest, they simply need clearer information, trusted advice, and reassurance that investing isn’t reserved for experts or the wealthy. Building confidence can change financial futures, not just for individual women, but for families and communities as well.
Starting Out
Starting out as an investor can feel intimidating; however, it’s more achievable than you might think. You don’t need to be wealthy or have years of experience to begin; you just need to take the first step.
Start small, stay consistent, and focus on your long-term goals rather than short-term market swings. Even modest, regular contributions can grow meaningfully over time through the power of compounding. Take time to learn the basics, understand your comfort with risk, and ask questions along the way, every confident investor started somewhere.
If you’re unsure where to begin, read our Beginner Investor blog series for straightforward guidance and practical steps to help you invest with confidence.
- Beginner Investor Blog Series: Guide to Investing in Ireland
- Grow Your Money with Compounding
- What Is Risk Tolerance?
- Mistakes First-Time Investors Make
- Types of Investments Explained
- Can You Make Money and Do Good?
Keep your investments working for you
Once you’re investing, it’s vital to review and refine. At True Wealth, we explain in our article “Why You Should Regularly Review Your Savings and Investments” how periodic check-ins keep your strategy aligned with your changing life. Life changes (career, family, business), markets shift. Reviewing helps you stay in control, not just start and forget.
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Diversify Your Funds
One of the best ways to reduce risk and grow your wealth steadily is through diversification; simply put, not putting all your eggs in one basket. By spreading your money across different assets, sectors, and regions, you protect yourself if one area underperforms.
Diversification helps balance risk and reward. Some investments, like shares, may deliver growth, while others, such as bonds or cash, offer stability. A well-diversified portfolio means your money works efficiently, no matter what the markets are doing.
Regularly reviewing your mix of funds ensures your investments stay aligned with your goals and comfort level. Learn more in our article, Why Diversifying Your Funds Is So Important.
Make the Most of Your Pension
For many women, investing through a pension is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build long-term wealth. Yet it’s often overlooked, especially if you’ve taken time out of work, changed jobs, or run your own business.
A pension isn’t just a savings pot for later life, it’s an investment account with powerful tax advantages. Every euro you contribute can grow tax-free, and in most cases, you’ll receive income tax relief on what you put in. That means your money starts working harder from day one.
If you’re employed, check what your employer contributes and make sure you’re not leaving free money on the table. Suppose you’re self-employed or a company director. In that case, you have even more flexibility; you can use your business to fund your retirement efficiently, often with larger contributions and more substantial tax benefits than personal savings allow.
And as life changes, whether you’re returning to work, increasing hours, or approaching retirement, it’s important to review your pension regularly. Your goals, risk level, and contribution limits can all shift over time. A financial advisor can help you make sure your pension strategy still fits your needs and keeps you on track for the future you want.
At True Wealth, we help women understand how to make the most of these opportunities — so your pension becomes not just a safety net, but a key part of your financial freedom.
The ultimate Retirement Planning Guide.
Planning for retirement is a significant life milestone. Whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or are already well into your retirement journey, this guide aims to empower you to make informed decisions and create a retirement plan that aligns with your unique financial goals and expectations.
After you download your guide, one of our expert mortgage advisors will be in touch shortly to provide you with guidance and further relevant information including typical repayments, qualification amounts and mortgage requirements.
Women business owners and investing
If you’re a woman running your own business (or planning to), this section is especially for you.
Corporate life and business ownership present unique investment opportunities — but also unique challenges. Consider the article “Personal Investments vs Corporate Investments in Ireland”, which explains how business profits, tax structure and planning make a difference.
Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Structure matters: Investing personally means you’re using after-tax income; investing inside your business uses retained profits, and the tax treatment differs.
- Tax implications: The company investment profits may be taxed at the corporate rate (12.5% or 25% depending on trading or passive status) rather than personal rates immediately.
- Exit strategy: Even if you invest through your company, when you extract that money personally (salary, dividends) it triggers personal tax. So you need to plan both the “grow inside business” phase and the “take out” phase.
- Women-business-owner checklist:
- Ensure your business cash flow supports growth and investment; don’t tie up funds needed for operations.
- Evaluate how investing within your company aligns with your personal goals (retirement, legacy, liquidity).
- Consider how business risk and life risk (e.g., stepping out of business, selling) affect your investment horizon.
- Seek advice tailored to the dual role of business owner + investor — so you bridge both spheres.
- Ensure your business cash flow supports growth and investment; don’t tie up funds needed for operations.
Your business can be a powerful vehicle for building wealth, but only if your investing strategy is intentional, structured and aligned with your personal and business goals.
Get a Savings & Investments Quote
Get a Savings & Investments Quote
Confidence doesn’t come overnight; it grows from starting, doing, learning, and reviewing. You don’t need to be an investing expert to build wealth; you just need to take that first step and keep going.
There are plenty of options to suit your goals, from regular savings plans and lump-sum investments to children’s savings plans designed for the future.
At True Wealth, we make investing simple, transparent, and built around you. Get a savings and investments quote today and start putting your money to work with confidence.
We are experts in personal and business protection, savings and investments, pension tracing, retirement planning & pensions, business owner and personal financial planning, mortgages, and wealth management and extraction.
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All our content has been written or overseen by a qualified financial advisor. However, you should always seek individual financial advice for your unique circumstances.
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