In many Italian households, financial decisions — about investments, banking, mortgages — remain less explored territory than it might seem, especially when it comes to who actually holds the reins. Digging into the numbers helps us understand not just who's in control, but how people feel, who has confidence, and which barriers — psychological, cultural, perceptual — emerge when economic power isn't shared equally.
Who decides, at home?
According to the most recent research, in 78% of cases in Italy it's men who make financial investment decisions, while women do so in only 22% of cases. It's no surprise, then, that only one woman in four plays an active role in major household financial choices — whether managing the budget, investing savings or choosing a bank. This gap isn't just an economic snapshot: it points to a deeper issue of decision-making power. The female voice, though present, isn't yet the one leading.
The picture in entrepreneurship
A look at entrepreneurship reinforces this picture. Italy has over 4.8 million entrepreneurs, of whom around 1.46 million are women — 30% of the total. Women entrepreneurs are on average 49 years old, three years younger than their male counterparts, and in 64.8% of cases run businesses with no employees. One interesting figure concerns education: 34.5% of women entrepreneurs hold a tertiary degree, against 23.4% of men. Despite this progress, the path remains bumpier: women face greater difficulty accessing credit and often have to balance business decisions with family ones. Italy's so-called "credit gender gap" is worth around €68 billion, since women receive only around 20% of the bank credit granted to households.
Beyond the numbers: confidence and perception
Alongside the numbers there's a subtler side: perception. Research shows that women generally report less confidence in financial choices and risk-taking investments than men. Add to this the still-entrenched division of "invisible work" at home: even in dual-income couples, it's often the woman who handles day-to-day spending, while the man steps in for mortgages or bigger wealth decisions. This reinforces the idea that certain choices "belong" to the male domain. Yet it's precisely through awareness and financial education that change can happen. Recognising and valuing women's participation doesn't just narrow the gap — it builds a culture where handling money isn't a technical act, but a form of personal and family freedom.
Why does deciding together pay off?
In the end, who handles investments at home isn't just a matter of numbers — it's about relationships, trust, direct involvement. When both partners — regardless of gender — are informed, confident and engaged, household well-being grows, both financially and psychologically.
Glossary
- Access to credit: how easily someone can obtain a loan or mortgage, and on what terms (amount, rate). Example: if you get the mortgage you need at a sustainable rate, access is good; if it's denied or offered on poor terms, access is limited.
- Credit gender gap: the difference between women and men in access to credit and the terms offered (approval odds, amounts, rates). Example: with an identical profile, if a woman receives less credit or a higher rate than a man, that's the credit gender gap at work.
