A new study of over 14,000 UK adults reveals a powerful opportunity to unlock the next generation of investors. According to BlackRock’s latest report, “Bridging the gap: from saving to investing,” 11.6 million UK adults who do not currently invest —21% of the total population—are open to investing. Yet, many are held back by persistent misconceptions and a lack of confidence.
Key findings of the study were that:
• Savers are ready: 4.3 million UK adults, who are not currently investing but are saving cash regularly, are already saving an average of £273 per month , nearly matching the £344 average amount invested each month by current investors .
• Small steps matter: 83% of regular savers say they’d be more likely to invest if they could start with as little as £1–£50 per month.
• Confidence is the missing link: 58% of regular savers want to understand investing, whilst 56% admit they “don’t really know what they’re doing.” Investors are 94% more likely than non-investors to believe they will have enough to retire comfortably.
• Barriers lead to behavioural inertia:
• 35% say they don’t know enough about investing.
• 31% fear losing money.
• 26% believe they don’t have enough money to start.
• 21% are worried about access to their money if invested.
• Investing is on the rise: According to BlackRock’s People & Money study published in 2024, the UK has seen the largest increase in new investors across 14 European markets since 2022—up 21%, or 3.5 million new investors . Today, 32% of UK adults (18 million) are investors.
“Millions of British people are already doing the hard part—saving regularly. But with more than £275bn sitting in accounts earning zero interest, this money is neither working hard for these savers, nor for the real economy ,” said Henry MacLeod, Head of UK Digital Wealth & Co-Head Digital Distribution, EMEA at BlackRock.
“What our survey shows, however, is that with the right support, tools, and education, millions of British people could make their money work harder for them by taking the next step into investing.”
