The head of the UK division at research firm CoreData said bringing women’s Isa subscriptions in line with men’s could inject an extra £8.8bn into the sector, based on a woman’s average savings pot of £2,500.
At present, 41 per cent of men invest in a stocks and shares Isa, compared to just 21.6 per cent of women.
Ms Spiteri Paris said women could be missing out on an average return of £900 per annum as a result.
She said: “The low ownership of investment Isas among women has been down to lower levels of perceived investment knowledge, less engagement with financial affairs and a more risk-averse attitude towards investment.”
Adviser view
Mark Hoskin, partner at London-based Holden & Partners said: “Our clients often have one lead partner and usually it’s the husband. However, we recommend that both partners use their Isa allowance as a matter of course.”
