The Feminization of Wealth: How Women Are Gaining Control — and What It Means for Your Financial Future

We are living through a quiet revolution in the financial world: women are stepping into unprecedented control of wealth. Over the past five years, women’s share of global financial wealth has grown faster than men’s, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down.

This is more than just a shift in numbers. It’s a transformation in how wealth is earned, held, and used to shape families, communities, and legacies.

The Forces Behind the Shift

In the United States alone, an estimated $30 trillion is expected to transfer from one generation to the next in the coming decade, much of it into the hands of women. Because women live, on average, five to six years longer than men, they are far more likely to become the financial decision-makers in their households later in life. And as family dynamics continue to evolve — with more women remaining unmarried, facing divorce, or leading as the primary earners in their homes — the pattern becomes clear: women are increasingly steering financial decisions not just for themselves, but for their families.

The Current Landscape

The impact is already visible. And you may be living it yourself – taking an active role in building and managing your wealth as well as your family’s day-to-day budget. Today, women control roughly one-third of global personal financial wealth, and projections suggest that share will rise steadily over the next decade. In the U.S., women’s financial assets grew from about $10 trillion in 2018 to $18 trillion just five years later — and analysts expect that figure to nearly double again, to $34 trillion, by 2030.

Beyond investment accounts, women’s influence extends into nearly every corner of the economy. In fact, women are behind the majority of household purchasing decisions, from essentials to healthcare, travel, and education. Taken together, these numbers remind us that women’s financial power is not a niche trend. It’s a defining force in the global economy.

A Different Approach to Investing

What’s equally fascinating is how women tend to approach investing once they’re at the helm. Studies show that women are often more disciplined and thoughtful, less likely to trade impulsively, and more inclined to take a long-term view. Their decisions are frequently tied to goals and values — supporting a family, giving back to their community, or aligning with charitable causes they care about — rather than chasing quick returns for the sake of growing their accounts.

And yet, a surprising share of women’s wealth remains on the sidelines, sitting unmanaged or underutilized. By some estimates, this represents a $10 trillion opportunity by the end of the decade. The question isn’t whether women will control wealth — that’s already happening — but how they will choose to put that wealth to work.

Where the Financial Industry Fell Short

Despite all this progress, the financial industry has not historically done a great job of meeting women where they are. For decades, the standard model of financial advice was built with men in mind. Meetings often focused on performance metrics rather than personal goals. Conversations were filled with jargon that left many clients feeling overwhelmed. And too often, advisors failed to recognize the impact of major life transitions like divorce, career breaks, or widowhood — all of which disproportionately affect women.

The good news is that things are changing. As an advisor, I see this in the number of women working in the industry (though in a room of firm owners, I’m often the only woman). 

Today, women clients are demanding more — and they deserve it. The future of financial advice must be more relational than transactional. It must begin with listening, not lecturing. It must center on values and goals, not just numbers on a statement. And it must offer strategies that empower women during life’s biggest transitions, rather than leaving them to navigate uncertainty alone.

This is exactly where my work at Clairwell begins. My practice is rooted in the belief that women deserve a safe, supportive space to explore their financial options and step confidently into ownership of their wealth.

The Freedom That Comes with Financial Confidence

When women feel confident about their finances, something remarkable happens: doors open. Having control over money doesn’t just mean paying the bills on time or watching an account balance grow — it means having the freedom to make choices that align with your life, your values, and your dreams.

Financial confidence creates space to say yes to new expansive opportunities and no to obligations that no longer serve you. It means being able to walk away from an unhealthy relationship, take a career risk, or fund a cause that lights you up. It allows you to plan for the future without fear and to enjoy the present without guilt.

At its core, money is a tool — and when women feel empowered in using that tool, they gain more than financial security. They gain options, autonomy, and the ability to shape the life they want to live.

Why This Matters

As women continue to gain control of wealth, the ripple effects will be felt everywhere: in families, in businesses, in philanthropy, and in the causes women choose to support. For those navigating transitions — whether it’s divorce, widowhood, or a career change — money isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about security, confidence, and the freedom to shape the next chapter of life.

That’s why this moment matters. And it’s why I believe the future of financial planning should look different from the past.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re stepping into greater financial responsibility, I want you to know this: you are not alone. You don’t need to figure it all out by yourself. This is your moment to own your power and create a plan that reflects not just your finances, but your values, your goals, and your story.

I’d love to start that conversation with you. Together, we can build a plan that brings clarity, confidence, and peace of mind as you move forward.

✨ Clairwell Financial Planning: Where women find clarity, confidence, and connection in their financial journey.