Financial independence for women: a key skill in today’s world

In times of geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty, the topic of investing can initially seem daunting to many people. But it is precisely in times like these that financial independence is more important than ever – especially for women who want to shape their future independently of their partner or family structures.

Investing does not mean blindly exposing yourself to potential risks, but rather building a financial foundation for your own future step by step: through knowledge, a long-term strategy and conscious decisions.

Why should we still be talking about financial independence in 2026?

The reality remains sobering: the gender pay gap in Austria is still significant. In 2024, it stood at 17.6% – one of the highest figures in Europe. Only around 34% of this income difference can be explained by factors such as part-time work, occupational groups or industries. The majority of the gap therefore remains unexplained and highlights a fundamental problem.

The fact that women perform an above-average amount of unpaid care work, are more likely to work part-time and therefore receive significantly lower pensions are further factors that lead to lower incomes for women. These income gaps arise structurally, but must be closed at the individual level.

Women today are more conscious about the financial course they want to set for themselves. Children are no longer automatically considered a ‘financial risk,’ but rather a life event that requires careful planning. And that is precisely where the opportunity lies.

The point is: financial independence is not a train you miss. It is a path that women can – and should – confidently take at any stage of their lives.

Financial education as the key

According to a recent survey by Erste Bank, only 29% of women in Austria currently invest in securities. This figure is primarily linked to lower incomes and a lack of knowledge about investing. In order to strengthen your own financial independence, financial education is the place to start. The most important thing is to learn the basics and gain a better understanding of how the stock market works. Because in the financial world, too, knowledge is power – and in this case, the power to secure your own financial future.

We recommend that you first familiarise yourself with the basic terms related to investing – because a solid foundation of knowledge not only reduces uncertainty, but also strengthens your confidence in your own financial decisions. Compact, easy-to-understand information on key topics such as funds, risk classes and diversification is particularly helpful for this. These two resources are a good place to start:

• What is a fund? | Erste Asset Management – an easy-to-understand introduction that explains how funds work, what types there are and why they can be a sensible option for many investors.
• she invests » Stärke dein Finanzwissen | Erste Bank – content that shows in a practical way how to take the first step, overcome typical hurdles and develop a feel for your own financial goals. (only available in German)

Anyone who wants to delve deeper into specific topics or better understand current market movements will find further valuable insights on our investment blog. There, complex developments are explained in an understandable way – from trends on the financial markets to sustainable investing and assessments by our experts: Money, funds, stock market & co – The investment blog of Erste Asset Management – Erste Asset Management Investment Blog

The advantage: the more knowledge you gather, the clearer your own financial picture becomes – and the easier it is to make long-term and well-informed decisions. Financial education is not a one-off step, but a continuous process that creates security and strengthens your independence.

Investing as a self-determined strategy

The first step towards investing does not have to be a big one – there are now many ways to invest in securities, even with small amounts.

A fund savings plan combines gradual asset accumulation with the potential returns offered by securities. And you can start with as little as 50€ in a fund of your choice.

Please note: The average cost effect decreases as the term of the savings plan increases, as the accumulated assets increasingly behave as if the total amount had been invested in a single transaction. Depending on market developments, a one-off investment may also prove to be more favourable. Investing in securities involves both opportunities and risks.

A fund savings plan can be opened in five simple steps:

1. Investment requirements: How much should be invested per month? Investments are possible from €50 per month, so you can also start with small amounts.
2. Investment objective: How much return do you want to achieve? Adjust the term accordingly and consider your risk tolerance. Remain realistic.
3. Choose the right time span: With a fund savings plan, shares are purchased regularly. The longer you invest, the more shares are purchased.
4. Selecting investment funds: Tools such as our Fund Search or Performance Calculator can help you choose an investment fund. Payments into a fund savings plan can also be divided between up to five investment funds.
5. Open a fund savings plan: You can do this conveniently online, of course, or find talk to your advisor. You can find more information here.

Explanations of technical terms can be found in our Fund Glossary.

Why this topic keeps coming up – and why we must not let it rest

Yes, issues such as the gender pay gap, the part-time trap and the pension gap have been with us for a long time. And it’s true: it can be exhausting to keep bringing them up. Nevertheless, the situation has not improved significantly by 2026, and the overall conditions remain challenging. That is precisely why it is essential for women to be aware of their financial options and to actively shape their future.

Financial independence is not a lifestyle issue; it is an important step towards ensuring stability and freedom of action in challenging times.

 

This document is an advertisement. Unless indicated otherwise, source: Erste Asset Management GmbH. The language of communication of the sales offices is German and the languages of communication of the Management Company also include English.

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