Womens' finances under growing pressure
Womens' finances are coming more under pressure as the cost-of-living crisis has disproportionately impacted their ability to withstand the potential impacts of a recession, according to a new study.
Over a third (36%) of women would not be able to afford their everyday expenses should the UK enter a recession, compared with just a quarter (26%) of men, according to research from wealth manager and Financial Planner Quilter.
The cost of living crisis has had more of a disproportionate impact on women’s finances than the pandemic, according to the research.
Some 31% of women said that they were in a worse position financially than this time last year. Comparatively, just 25% of men feel the same way.
Previous research from Quilter said that one in five women (21%) felt they were worse off financially at the end of 2021 than they had been the year prior, compared to 18% of men.
Men were much more likely to consider themselves to be financially resilient should a recession materialise.
One in five (21%) men said they were in a better financial position than they were last year and their current finances and earnings would allow them to manage their daily expenses should the UK enter a recession. Just 15% of women expressed the same sentiment.
For 2024 women are expecting to face greater financial pressures than men. One fifth (21%) of women said they do not expect to have any disposable income available in 2024, compared to 17% of men.
Angela Davy-Makwana, Financial Planning consultant at Quilter, said: “Our research paints the picture that women are disproportionately facing considerable financial pressures because of the cost-of-living crisis and are fearful of the prospect of a recession, with a third reporting they are in a worse position financially than this time last year.
"The UK has so far narrowly avoided a recession, but we are not out of the woods yet and it is concerning that more than a third of women feel they would not be able to afford their everyday expenses should one materialise.
"Though it is positive that the government is exploring the impact the cost-of-living crisis has had on women, more must be done to ensure that women feel financially secure."
• Quilter and YouGov surveyed 2,001 adults between 11 and 12 December.