A survey of 2,000 adults in South Africa has found  that 35% are planning to start investing in stocks, shares or other investments in the future.

Three quarters or 74% are confident in their ability to make smart decisions when it comes to investing, while 6% are more ‘not confident at all’.

About 11% of those who do not currently hold investments will not take the plunge and begin investing before they have saved at least R50,000.

However, more than half of 54% have invested in stocks, shares or other investments in the past.

A spokesperson for Exness which commissioned the study, said: “We’re seeing more and more people setting money aside not just for the rainy day – but with a clear goal of investing it in the stock market.

“There’s been a real shift in how people approach their finances, with many now actively planning for long-term growth rather than just short-term spending.

“Whether it’s buying shares in companies they believe in or simply trying to make their money work harder in uncertain times, stock investing has become a much more mainstream aspiration.

“And with so many platforms making it easier than ever to get started, people are becoming increasingly confident about taking that first step.”

The study also found 25% of respondents are curious, but feel under-informed when it comes to investing in stocks and shares.

The survey also revealed that men are more than twice as likely as women to have savings put by for a future stock market investment – 20% of men, compared to 9% of women.

And while 48% of those aged 18-24 have not yet taken the plunge, they do plan to – compared to only 34% of older adults (35 to 44).

Younger would-be investors are also more confident they would make good decisions when it came to investments, than many of their older peers.

More than eight in 10 (81%) of adults under 24 would back their decision for wise investments, compared to only 64% of people aged 45-54.

And while 39% would trust a financial adviser the most for tips on how to play the stock market, 16% would listen to a banking or trading app, but very few would trust information found on YouTube (4%) or a social media feed (3%).

To help prepare, 71% of those who have made investments have ‘practised’ investing with a simulation, or demo trading platform, before using real money, with 87% claiming they found this technique helpful.

Some of the top concerns people have around investing are the fear of scams or fraud (58%) or making the wrong decision (44%).

On the other hand, 56% consider key benefits to be the potential for long term growth and 54% would enjoy financial independence.

Of those who have bought stocks and shares in the past, 34% have regretted a sale, according to the OnePoll. com results.

The spokesperson for Exness said: “For many, investing in stocks represents a kind of financial independence.

“It is no longer something ‘other people’ do – it is something they can do too, provided they plan ahead.

“And that planning often starts with simple, consistent saving habits that grow over time into something far more empowering.”