Globally, women’s wealth has shown unprecedented growth over recent years. In India, the momentum among women investors is particularly strong. As Umang Papneja, CEO of Julius Baer India, notes, “women now represent more than a quarter of all investors, commanding about one-third of individual investment assets, a share that is steadily rising.”
And yet, when we talk to the subcontinent’s female entrepreneurs about money, a pattern quickly emerges. “We still don’t have enough women investing,” says Aditi Kothari Desai, Chairperson at DSP Asset Managers. Ghazal Alagh, Co-founder of Mamaearth, agrees: “Women’s confidence is fairly low for now, but it is improving.” The gap, in other words, is less about ability and more about belief and access to knowledge.
Understanding women’s investment behaviours
Many women mention a tendency to step back. Vineeta Singh, CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics, observes that “women sometimes look at delegating the responsibility of how investment decisions are made to a partner, a parent, or an adviser. Delegation can be practical, but your voice at the table fades when your own goals and values aren’t part of the conversation.”
And yet, at heart, men and women want similar things from their money. “I think both of them want their money to work harder for them,” says Alagh. A better education for children, a comfortable retirement, maybe a holiday home or “a little bit of the good life,” as Musaba Gupta, fashion designer and actress, puts it.
At Julius Baer, we see that when women do invest – including the many high-net-worth women we advise – they are often thoughtful, long-term and disciplined. Research has suggested that such behaviour can translate into strong results over time. The lesson? Your instincts may already be better than you think; they simply need to be supported with clear information and a trusted partner.
The importance of women steering their own wealth
Actively managing your wealth is about moving from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat of your financial journey. When you understand what you own and why, says Gupta, “decision-making becomes a lot braver.”
For many women, this shift is simply about independence. “It helps you to understand that you are not dependent on someone else to take any decisions for you,” says Alagh. Desai adds that relying on others can be risky: “That other person may not have the risk profile that you do, and it’s your hard-earned money.”
Emotional wellbeing is another reason to stay involved. “It brings a lot of emotional and mental security and stability,” says Aditi Mittal of IndiaBonds. A clear plan turns uncertainty into clarity, and even missteps become part of the learning.
This is where guidance matters. At Julius Baer, we demystify markets, explain options in plain language, and build strategies that reflect the type of investor you are – your time horizon, responsibilities, and appetite for risk. Bit by bit, confidence grows as knowledge deepens.
How women define wealth today
When we ask India’s women entrepreneurs what wealth means, few mention just a number on a statement. “To me, it’s responsibility,” says Desai. For others, the word that comes up again and again is freedom. “Independence,” says celebrity physician Dr Vishakha Shivdasani. “Freedom to live life on my own terms,” echoes Singh.
That freedom is often deeply practical. Singh talks about having “autonomy over my time and freedom to not have to worry about my children’s education or my parents’ health.” But wealth also reaches beyond the immediate family. “Wealth can give me the ability to invest in my dreams as well as dreams of many others,” she adds.
When more of that capital is consciously managed by women – from first-time investors to female millionaires – and aligned with their values, the impact is profound. Investments can support sustainable businesses, inclusive workplaces, and causes close to your heart. Your personal compass helps steer broader change. “Wealth is not just to make more wealth and splurge, but to do good in society,” says Desai.
Sharpening your investment lens: your next step
Across all these stories told by India’s women entrepreneurs, the biggest barrier is usually not capability but confidence. According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated USD 3.22 trillion in global investment capital could be unlocked if women invested at the same rate as men. Behind that figure are millions of individual decisions to learn, ask questions, and take the next step.
So where might your next step begin?
It could be as simple as:
- Writing down your goals
- Reviewing your current finances
- Booking a conversation with a Julius Baer adviser and bringing every question you’ve ever wanted to ask.
You don’t need perfect knowledge to start – only the willingness to begin. There is truly no better time than now.