"Korean Investors Rank First in Interest in Retirement Preparation—but Last in Diversification"

[Financial News] South Korean investors have shown strong interest in preparing for retirement, but their awareness of diversification remains low, a survey found.
Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager and the second-largest shareholder of NH-Amundi Asset Management, announced on the 1st the results of its global survey of individual investors and savers, “Decoding Investor 2026.”
The survey found that 57% of South Korean investors identified building retirement funds as a key investment goal, the highest proportion among the 26 countries surveyed. Malaysia followed at 49%, ahead of Singapore at 43% and Denmark and Sweden at 41% each. The global average was 36%, while the averages for Europe and Asia were 34% and 40%, respectively.
Only 12% of South Korean investors said they were very confident about achieving long-term financial stability—half the global average of 23%. The only markets with lower figures than South Korea were Hong Kong at 10%, Taiwan at 6%, and Japan at 2%. Brazil recorded the highest figure at 56%, followed by India and South Africa at 50% each.
South Korea had the lowest proportion among the 26 countries of investors who said their investments were diversified, at 22%. Conversely, 28% said their investments were concentrated in one or two holdings, the highest proportion among the markets surveyed. Amundi analyzed that the level of diversification is shaped not only by individual choices but also by market conditions, including access to investment products and the culture surrounding financial advice and investing.
The ETF ownership rate among South Korean investors was 38%, above the global average of 31%. Amundi forecast that the rate would rise to 42% in South Korea next year.
FOMO (fear of missing out) also influenced ETF investment. Among South Korean investors who held ETFs or were considering investing in them, 19% cited FOMO as a reason for investing in ETFs. This was higher than the global average of 12%. Amundi noted that social trends and the behavior of other investors can serve as channels for attracting investment.
Fanny Wurtz, head of Amundi’s client division, said, "As retirement preparation has become a key priority for households around the world, it has become increasingly important to help more savers begin investing. The asset management industry must build trust, expand access to investment education through digital channels, and offer simple, transparent solutions."

[email protected] Seo Min-ji Reporter