Three in 10 Britons lacking knowledge to invest savings

• A significant number of people don’t feel equipped to invest their money, with uncertainty much higher among women (36%) than men (23%)

• Limited time and mental bandwidth are major obstacles

• Higher levels of wealth do not eliminate uncertainty over investing

9 April 2026 | Significant numbers of people in the UK have the money but lack knowledge, confidence or time to invest, new analysis from Rathbones Group, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management firms, suggests.

Rathbones’ survey of 3,092 UK adults reveals three in ten (30%) UK adults say they lack the knowledge to manage their investments themselves, highlighting a widespread confidence gap.

This is most acute among women, with 36% saying they don’t feel equipped, but still significant among men (25%) and, according to Rathbones, is unchanged however wealthy people are.

The findings come just weeks ahead of a UK government‑backed, nationwide retail investment campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of investing for individuals’ long‑term financial wellbeing and its wider value to the UK economy.

This ambition closely aligns with Rathbones, whose vision is to help more people invest well so they can live well, by demystifying investment and providing the support and guidance many people want and need.

Jane Sydenham, Senior Investment Director, at Rathbones, says: “As the government looks to encourage more people to engage with investing, these findings highlight a critical issue - encouraging people to invest only works if they feel confident and willing to make investment decisions.

“Managing investments today involves an understanding of investment risk, tax, long-term planning and competing priorities, which helps explain why uncertainty remains common even among high earning and high wealth groups, and is particularly acute for those balancing busy working lives or dealing with sudden wealth.”

Lack of time key blocker

The survey also shows that confidence is lowest among working‑age adults, especially those aged 30–44 (35%), before falling to 24% among those aged 65–80. Although many people may, due to lack of time, knowledge or inclination, put off investing and simply save surplus income instead, this can carry a cost and reduce their longer-term wealth as a consequence, Rathbones warns.

Gordon Lawrie, Head of Edinburgh Office at Rathbones, says: “What we see, particularly with professional people or those working in full-on roles in business and the corporate world, is a lack of both time and inclination. Many professionals with significant earnings or assets don’t want to spend limited free time working out how to make the most of it – which is what we do.

“Our clients know they can rely on us to navigate the complexities of investing, tailoring our approach to their specific circumstances and risk appetite.”

Will Mcintosh-Whyte, fund manager for the Rathbone Multi-Asset fund, says: “Investing early in your life allows savers to take advantage of the power of compounding – so the fact that the highest percentage of those lacking the knowhow to invest is in younger age brackets is a bit of a concern and could be a headwind to those participants achieving their longer-term financial objectives.”

Greater wealth does not reduce uncertainty

Higher levels of wealth do not eliminate uncertainty. While confidence improves for some mid-wealth groups, concern rises again among the wealthiest respondents. Nearly a third (30%) of those with £1m+ in net assets say they don’t feel confident managing their investments independently - highlighting how financial complexity often increases alongside wealth.

Will Mcintosh-Whyte continues: “Investing — carefully risking money to grow it — has fallen out of favour in the UK. Too many of us sit on cash rather than invest in stocks and bonds, which have been proven to deliver better results over the long term. With the UK incredibly underinvested, this means millions are missing out on returns that could leave them better off and better prepared for retirement.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Survey of 3,092 UK adults conducted in October 2025 by Sig Diff on behalf of Rathbones

Further information, please contact:

Myron Jobson

Personal Finance, Senior Manager

Myron.jobson@rathbones.com

07508014552

Press team

press@rathbones.com

About Rathbones rathbones.com

Rathbones Group Plc (Rathbones) is one of the UK’s leading providers of investment and wealth management services for private clients (individuals and families), charities, trustees, and professional partners. Rathbones’ purpose is to help more people invest their money well, so they can live well.

With roots dating back to 1742, the company has been trusted for generations to manage, preserve and grow its clients’ wealth. Services include discretionary investment management, fund management, tax planning, trust and company management, financial advice and banking services. Rathbones also supports financial advisers in its aim to deliver positive outcomes for their clients.

Rathbones manages £115.6 billion* of client assets, including £16.6 billion through its asset management arm, Rathbones Asset Management Limited. A FTSE 250 company, Rathbones employs over 3,300 professionals, including around 750 investment professionals in over 20 offices across the UK and the Channel Islands, offering clients high-quality, personalised wealth management services.

*As of December 31, 2025

Tags

More Like This

A third of UK investors prioritise sustainability over returns

Don’t rely on houses to fund retirement, Rathbones warns

Rathbones calls for urgent regional investment to drive UK growth

A quarter of women would be frustrated if they couldn’t retire by 60

Pension shock among over 65s highlights risk facing all generations

According to Tickmill survey, 3 in 10 Britons in economic difficulty: Purchasing power down 41% since 2004

Love, Actually… Comes With a Back-Up Plan: 30m Brits Saving for a Break-Up

Delayed retirement now likely for millions as UK pension savings gap widens – Retirement Report