Research reveals gender gap in financial literacy and well-being

NEW YORK: New findings from nudge, a global financial well-being program partner, reveal a persistent gender gap in financial literacy and wellbeing. According to the 2025 Global Financial Wellbeing Report, which surveyed 11,500 employees across 17 countries, women are significantly more likely than men to report poor financial health (25% vs 18%) and to experience the emotional and physical toll of financial stress. Although 69% of women rate their financial literacy as “good”, this is accompanied by lower confidence in managing financial change and a greater likelihood of feeling anxious, ashamed, or angry about their finances.

Financial stress hits women harder

The emotional impact of financial insecurity is significantly more profound among women. Nearly twice as many women as men report feeling ashamed (12% vs 6%), anxious (16% vs 9%), or angry (12% vs 8%) about their financial situation. When asked to assess their financial health, a quarter of women rated it as poor or very poor, compared to just 18% of men.

Debt is a major contributor to stress among women. Over half (55%) say their debt negatively impacts their stress levels. This stress isn’t just mental – it often manifests itself physically. Women report experiencing stress-related symptoms such as sleep disruption (31%), fatigue (24%), and migraines (21%). Depression, weight changes, and social withdrawal are also commonly reported.

Confidence, education and the role of employers

A significant confidence gap exists between women and men when it comes to navigating financial change. In the US, one in four women (25%) say they don’t feel confident managing potential shifts in key cost areas like food, healthcare, housing affordability, and social security – compared to 15% of men.

This disparity may be linked to differences in access to and use of financial education resources. While social media is the most common source of financial knowledge for both genders (41% of women and 43% of men), men are more likely to engage with a broader range of tools. These include financial education books (36% of men vs 28% of women), online courses (33% vs 29%), and periodicals (32% vs 23%). Podcasts and employer-provided education are used at similar rates, but a concerning 13% of women report having no sources of financial education at all, compared to just 8% of men.

Jeff Miller, Vice President US at nudge and Certified Financial Instructor said: “This data underscores the urgent need to close the gender gap in financial literacy. Women are disproportionally affected by financial stress, and while they don’t necessarily have less access to financial education, many perceive they do – which may be due to lower confidence in navigating complex financial language or resources. We must ensure that financial education is not only accessible but also approachable and inclusive.”

While challenges remain, the findings also highlight clear opportunities for employers to make a meaningful difference. Miller said, “Financial literacy is the most effective route to reduce financial stress during times of economic volatility. Employers have a critical role to play in providing personalized accessible financial education that empowers all employees to take control of their financial futures. By equipping employees with the knowledge to better manage and understand their finances, employers can help ease the pressure on their employees’ minds, bodies, and relationships, resulting in a much happier and healthier workforce.”

You can read the full 2025 global financial wellbeing report here.