Over three in five (61%) British adults invest part of their income, with a quarter (25%) using cash ISAs as their primary investment choice, Shepherds Friendly has found.
A survey by the friendly society revealed that workplace pensions (15%), personal pensions and stock and shares ISAs (both 12%) were also cited as popular investment choices.
However, the firm found that 39% of Brits have chosen not to invest at all, highlighting a "significant portion of the population that remains hesitant".
Of those that do invest, men invest 44% more than women each month, with men investing £581 on average compared to £404 for women.
Furthermore, those aged between 35-44 years old invest the most at £773 on average, while those aged 55 to 64 invest the lowest amount at £255.
Of these investors in the UK, over half (52%) expected to see a return on their investments, while over a quarter (28%) like to take risks. Over one in 10 (11%) of investors cited insufficient income as the reason for not investing more, while 24% of non-investors avoid it because they feel it is too risky.
Shepherds Friendly also said that the cost of living is a "significant barrier", preventing 18% from investing anything at all.
Chief finance officer at Shepherds Friendly, Derence Lee, said: "It’s positive to see that a significant proportion of people in the UK are taking steps to make their money go further by exploring a variety of investment options.
"However, for those looking to get started with investing it can be tricky to know where to look for the right information to help you make the most informed decisions. There’s lots of information out there on the basics and how to get started, however it’s always worth speaking with a financial advisor to make sure you’re making the best decisions for you.
"The benefits of investing include the potential for higher returns compared to traditional savings accounts, the power of compound interest, and the ability to achieve long-term financial goals such as retirement, buying a home, or helping younger family members with paying for a house deposit or further education."
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