JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 26, 2025/APO Group: A survey tracking 2,000 adults in South Africa has revealed that 35 percent plan to start trading in stocks, shares, or other investments in the future.
The findings also show that three-quarters, to the tune of 74 per cent, have expressed confidence in their ability to make smart decisions when it comes to investing, while six per cent are more ‘not confident at all’. Moreover, 11 percent of those who currently don’t hold investments are reluctant to take the plunge and would only invest after accumulating a minimum savings of R50,000.
A spokesperson for Exness, which commissioned the study, commented: “We’re seeing more and more people setting money aside not just for a rainy day – but with a clear goal of investing it in the stock market. There’s been a real shift in how people approach their finances, with many now actively planning for long-term growth rather than just short-term spending. Whether it’s buying shares in companies they believe in or simply trying to make their money work harder in uncertain times, stock investing has become a much more mainstream aspiration. With so many platforms making it easier than ever to get started, people are becoming increasingly confident about taking that first step.”
The study also found 25 per cent of respondents are curious, but feel under-informed when it comes to investing in stocks and shares. An interesting aspect of the survey shows that men are more than twice as likely as women to set aside savings for a future stock market investment, with 20 per cent of men, as compared to nine per cent of women. While 48 per cent of those aged 18-24 haven’t yet taken the plunge, they do plan to – compared to only 34 per cent of older adults in the age group of 35-44.
Younger would-be investors are also more confident they’d make good investment decisions as compared to many of their older peers, with eight in 10 (81 per cent) of adults under 24 would back their decision for wise investments, compared to only 64 per cent of people aged 45-54. On the other hand, 39 per cent would trust a financial adviser the most for tips on how to play the stock market, and 16 per cent would listen to a banking or trading app.
There are very few among the respondents who would trust information found on YouTube at four percent and social media feed at three percent. Among the concerns expressed are the fear of scams or fraud at 58 percent, or fraud at 44 percent.
The spokesperson for Exness further added, “For many, investing in stocks represents a kind of financial independence. It’s no longer something ‘other people’ do—it’s something they can do too, provided they plan ahead. And that planning often starts with simple, consistent saving habits that grow over time into something far more empowering.”
