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We support inclusive and informed retail investing that strengthens long-term financial well-being for people worldwide.

Global market activity, once dominated by institutional players now includes a rapidly growing share of individual investors, with 61% ($107T) global assets under management projected to be in retail channels by 2030. Yet, many investors still face barriers to participation, such as gaps in financial education, economic uncertainty and the complexity of evolving technology.

With 72% of Gen Z investing by the time they join the workforce, the Global Retail Investing Initiative explores how industry and policymakers can help foster successful individual participation in capital markets, empowering individuals to reach their near- and long-term financial goals.

Building Accessible Retail Investing Ecosystems

Exploring how to improve trust, access, and education for individual investors across different geographies.

Global Future Council on Financial Education

Convening leaders to elevate financial education from a nice to have to a need to have in the business and policy world.

Understanding the Individual Investor

Tracking how individuals navigate their financial lives over time (2022, 2024, 2026) to put their needs at the center of policy and industry decision making.

Understanding gaps in trust and access

Through conducting global surveys, we work to reduce gaps in trust and access for individuals within capital markets by measuring progress over time and informing key stakeholders about existing gaps in capital markets for individuals.

Innovating on financial education

We build on the current financial education momentum by gathering key stakeholders and pushing forward activities both in the public and private sector to broaden financial education efforts and access.

Building a responsible investing ecosystem

We foster a responsible retail investor ecosystem by building frameworks and calls to action on best practices, with the wider goal of improving global long-term financial well-being.

2024 Global Retail Investor Survey

In 2024, the World Economic Forum in partnership with Robinhood and the Boston Consulting Group, launched the second edition Global Retail Investor Survey in thirteen markets. Findings demonstrate the sustained transformation of capital markets driven by retail investors.

Future of Financial Advice

Financial advice can serve as important tool in empowering financial well-being. As the world experiences technological advancements, demographic shifts and evolving consumer expectations, this paper explores how financial advice is undergoing a transformation.

Broadening Access to Private Markets

Individuals have generally been excluded from investing in private markets as an asset class. This paper explores the opportunties and challenges with broadening access to private markets for retail investors.

2022 Global Retail Investor Survey

In 2022, the World Economic Forum in partnership with BNY Mellon, launched the Global Retail Investor Survey in nine markets. Findings show gaps and opportunities in terms of access, education and trust in financial markets globally.

Understanding gaps in trust and access

Innovating on financial education

Building a responsible investing ecosystem

2024 Global Retail Investor Survey

Future of Financial Advice

Broadening Access to Private Markets

2022 Global Retail Investor Survey

Global Retail Investing

We support inclusive and informed retail investing that strengthens long-term financial well-being for people worldwide.

Our focus areas

Building Accessible Retail Investing Ecosystems

Global Future Council on Financial Education

Understanding the Individual Investor

Our impact

Our reports

Discover more about global retail investing

How trust drives Gen Z’s different approach to investing

How will 24/7 trading impact retail investors and the economy?

How younger investors are leading a retail investment shift

More people want to make financial investments than ever before. How do we empower them?

Wealth management conflicts of interest are failing investors. Here’s what’s needed

The 'Great Wealth Transfer': What is it and how can women make the most of it?

Are 'finfluencers' the future of financial advice?

Everyone needs access to financial advice: But how can we get there?

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