A rising number of UK adults actively invested in 2024, with younger investors leading the charge, new research from Moneybox has shown.
Nearly a third (31%) of UK adults chose to invest last year, up 5% year-on-year.
Among those who chose to put their money in something other than a regular savings account of cash ISA, two fifths (44%) were investing for the first time, up from 35% the previous year.
In the last year, 54% of 25-34 year olds chose to invest, up 13% on 2023 levels. Appetite was even greater among 18-25 year olds, with 52% reporting that they invested last year, a jump of 23% on the previous year.
The saving and investing platform said that among those aged 25-34, more than a quarter (26%) want to start investing this year and 38% aim to put more of their money into investments. Demand for investing has been growing steadily within this age group, from 18% in 2023 to 22% in 2024 and 38% for 2025.
Moneybox’s annual ‘Investing Money Mindsets’ study also looked at how confidence towards investing has changed over time. Among all those surveyed, two thirds (65%) said their confidence in investing had grown compared to the previous year, a 25% jump in confidence levels year-on-year.
The primary motivations among those who invested last year were to grow their money and build wealth for the future, to work towards a comfortable retirement and to be in a position to provide for their families in the future.
Brian Byrnes, head of personal finance at Moneybox, said: “It’s fantastic to see more people embracing investing and growing in confidence as they take steps to build long-term wealth. However, there’s still much work to be done and the Government and the industry continue working to ensure investing becomes a fundamental part of financial planning for everyone, alongside saving.”
Moneybox said almost two-thirds (64%) of people did not invest last year, with a third citing affordability while 26% admitted they were worried about losing their money and 19% said they are not confident that they know how to invest. A similar number (18%) chose not to invest because they were happy with the interest rate available on their cash savings.
Byrnes added: “While rising savings rates have made cash more appealing, cash alone is not a long-term wealth-building strategy. Saving is essential, but an overreliance on cash means many consumers may be missing out on significant opportunities to grow their money.
“Recent debates over potential changes to cash ISA tax benefits risk missing the bigger picture. The real challenge isn’t just where people put their money; it’s making sure they have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to unlock their financial potential. A strong savings foundation provides peace of mind, but true financial security comes from a balance of both saving and investing.”
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