Scandinavian women are most financially independent across the globe, while women in India and UAE show higher dependency

Recent data from YouGov surveys across 17 international markets reveals that two-thirds of women worldwide (67%) manage their finances independently. While 11% rely on a partner or family, 9% combine personal management with external assistance.

Women in Scandinavian countries tend to be more self-reliant, with 87% Danish women and 78% Swedish women managing their finances independently. Across Europe, at least three-quarters of women report managing finances on their own, including 77% in Germany and France, 76% in Poland, and 75% in the UK.

In Asia, more than half of women in Indonesia (76%), Hong Kong (66%) and Singapore (62%) say they manage their finances on their own. However, in India, fewer than half (45%) manage their finances independently, closely followed by the UAE (47%). These markets show higher levels of financial dependency, with 31% of urban Indian women and 28% of women in the UAE depending on family or partners for financial decisions.

The survey also found that only 30% of women globally feel confident in making financial decisions. A larger portion (45%) feels somewhat confident but seeks advice from others. Swedish women lead with 51% reporting confidence in their financial management, followed by 47% in Denmark.

Globally, 13% of women feel uncertain and rely on others when making financial decisions. The highest proportions of this group come from Italy and Spain, where 25% of women express such concerns.

In terms of active financial decisions, globally 44% of women report actively creating and maintaining a household budget. Additionally, 42% are saving for emergencies or retirement, while 38% are planning and saving for large purchases such as a home or car. Over a third of women worldwide are also engaged in managing debt (36%) or buying and managing insurance (34%).

Scandinavian countries lead in engagement with almost every financial decision, particularly in areas like insurance, saving for large purchases, and debt management. In contrast, countries like Mexico, Italy, and India show lower participation in many financial areas.

Saving for emergencies is also a priority for women in Denmark and Sweden, alongside those in Singapore and Hong Kong, where more than half are involved in this decision, highlighting a strong focus on financial security and long-term planning in these markets.

A fifth of women worldwide (20%) are actively involved in investment decisions, including stocks, bonds, or real estate. Women in Sweden (51%) and Denmark (45%) show the highest engagement in investment decisions. In Asia, women in Hong Kong (41%), Singapore (36%), and India (29%) are more likely to be involved in investment-related decisions compared to other regions.

When it comes to factors influencing their financial decision-making, nearly three in ten women (28%) say the fear of making mistakes is a key factor. Close behind, 27% feel empowered by their understanding of finances, which shapes their decisions. Lack of financial resources is a challenge for 27% of women, while 25% report that support from family or partners plays a role. Additionally, 24% cite work-related financial benefits as influencing their choices.

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 17 markets with sample sizes varying between 501 and 2,124 for each market. All surveys were conducted online during February 2025. Data from each market uses a nationally representative sample apart from Mexico and India, which use urban representative samples, and Indonesia and Hong Kong, which use online representative samples. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.