At the start of 2018, household wealth in France consisted of 20% financial assets, nearly a third of which were risky assets (unit-linked life insurance, directly owned shares or mutual investment funds).

Investment in risky assets is primarily dependent on financial wealth. Given equal wealth, age also plays a part, as does level of qualifications and financial literacy, depending on whether or not parents or relations owned shares. Moreover, households with a greater preference for risk and long-term savings more often own shares, as do those who anticipate a positive share return.

Between 2004 and 2015, the rate of ownership of risky assets fell by 5 points and then stabilised up to 2018.

Share demand is low among households throughout Europe (fewer than one in eight households in the main countries). At the start of 2018, 11% of German and French households owned shares: these proportions are now similar, due to opposing trends in both countries in recent years.