Women in Australia lead the way in financial independence across APAC

Recent YouGov surveys across 17 international markets reveal 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 the Asia Pacific region, Australia stands out, with nearly seven in ten women (69%) saying they manage their finances independently—one of the highest rates in the region.

The survey also found that globally, only 30% of women report feeling confident in making financial decisions, with 45% feeling somewhat confident but seeking advice from others. Australia fares slightly better, with 34% of women feeling confident about making financial decisions, while 52% feel somewhat confident and rely on external advice.

In terms of active financial management, Australian women are highly engaged: 55% report creating and maintaining a household budget, 44% are actively saving for emergencies or retirement, and 41% are involved in managing insurance. Additionally, 38% of women in Australia are focused on managing debt or planning and saving for large purchases. Some women are also making decisions about real estate (23%), investing in stocks and bonds (19%), and managing tax planning (18%).

When it comes to the factors influencing their financial decisions, 34% of Australian women say their understanding of finances plays a key role. However, other factors such as fear of making mistakes (30%), lack of financial resources (29%), work-related benefits (24%), and support from family and friends (24%) also significantly influence 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. Australia data is based on a sample of 507 women. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.