Gen Z, Locked Out of Home Buying, Puts Its Money in the Market

A seismic shift is underway in how younger generations build financial wealth, with Gen Z investors dramatically pivoting from traditional home ownership toward market investments. According to groundbreaking data from the JPMorgan Chase Institute, the share of people aged 25-39 making annual transfers to investment accounts has more than tripled between 2013 and 2023, reaching an impressive 14.4 percent.

This trend represents a strategic adaptation to an increasingly challenging housing market, where escalating home prices and rising interest rates have effectively locked out many millennial and Gen Z potential buyers. The data reveals a striking statistic: the percentage of 26-year-olds transferring funds to investment accounts since age 22 has surged from just 8% in 2015 to a remarkable 40% by May 2025.

George Eckerd, research director for wealth and markets at JPMorgan Chase Institute, notes that this trend signifies a fundamental shift in wealth accumulation strategies. The growth in retail investing among younger, lower-income demographics coincides directly with declining home buying activity, suggesting a strategic reallocation of financial resources toward more accessible investment vehicles.

For precious metals investors, this trend could have significant implications. The increased market participation by younger investors might drive greater liquidity and interest in alternative investment classes, potentially benefiting sectors like silver ETFs and mining equities.

While traditional wealth-building pathways like real estate become increasingly challenging, these young investors are demonstrating remarkable financial adaptability. Their embrace of market investing represents not just an economic necessity, but a sophisticated approach to personal finance in an evolving economic landscape.