Record High: 14.1 Million People Invest in Stocks and Stock Funds - Germany’s stock market boom draws 14.1 million investors in 2025
A record 14.1 million Germans invested in stocks or equity funds in 2025. This surge marks a rise of nearly two million from the previous year, continuing a long-term upward trend. The increase is largely driven by younger investors and a growing number of women entering the stock market.
The DAX index performed strongly in recent years, climbing 19% in 2024 and 23% in 2025. Over the past two decades, it has delivered an average annual return of nearly 9%, attracting more investors. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and equity funds remained the top choices, with 9.2 million Germans holding them in 2025.
Savings plans for stocks or equity funds also gained traction, reaching 5.3 million users. More than half of ETF investors now rely on these plans to build their portfolios. The younger generation, particularly those under 40, played a key role in the growth, with 4.9 million investors in this age group—accounting for 60% of the total increase in shareholders last year. The number of female investors jumped by 24% in 2025, narrowing the gap with men. However, higher-income individuals and men still dominate the stock market. The government’s planned early retirement pension scheme may further encourage women to invest, as they seek to secure their financial futures.
Germany’s stock market participation has hit new highs, with 14.1 million investors in 2025. Younger people and women are increasingly joining, while ETFs and savings plans remain popular choices. The trend reflects growing confidence in equities as a long-term investment option.
