With International Women’s Day approaching, research from CoreLogic has highlighted a significant gender divide in property investment.

While homeownership rates between men and women are nearly equal, when it comes to investing in real estate, men are still far ahead.

At the same time, regional property markets are booming, with migration to the regions nearly 20 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels, according to Ray White.

This raises the question: Could regional areas provide women with a more affordable entry into property investment and help close the gender wealth gap?

Women own homes, but fewer invest in property

The CoreLogic report reveals that while homeownership rates for Australian women (62.7 per cent) are nearly on par with those of men (64.4 per cent), a significant disparity emerges in investment property ownership, with 11.4 per cent of women owning an investment property compared to 14.2 per cent of men.

CoreLogic research head and report author Eliza Owen said the findings were consistent with previous data, showcasing the “gender investment gap”.

“While the report points to a promising parity between males and females of dwelling ownership in Australia, there were discrepancies and more work to be done to empower women with respect to dwelling ownership and investment,” she said.

“Part of the challenge for women who aspire to own a home is the persistence of the gender pay gap.

“While the pay gap has been declining over time in Australia, this survey still finds a greater portion of women than men report challenges of accessing the housing market related to saving a deposit, high prices, and being approved for a loan due to financial conditions.”

That might seem like a small difference, but when applied to millions of homeowners across Australia, it represents a major gap in wealth-building opportunities.

Gen Z women fall behind

The gender investment gap is particularly pronounced among young Australians, with 13.8 per cent of Gen Z men owning an investment property compared to just 6.4 per cent of Gen Z women, meaning young men are more than twice as likely as young women to invest in real estate.

The report also found that 53.6 per cent of Gen Z women say affordability is their biggest challenge. This compares to a lower percentage of Gen Z men, who tend to have higher incomes and greater confidence in securing loans.

It’s not just property where the gender gap is visible-women invest less in other assets too.

• 34.7 per cent of men invest in stocks, while only 19.1 per cent of women do
• 56.3 per cent of men actively grow their superannuation, compared to 44.8 per cent of women
• 40 per cent of women have no investments at all, compared to 27.8 per cent of men

This lack of investment could have long-term consequences for women’s financial security, particularly in retirement.

Older women are bucking the trend, but still lag men of the same generation.

The Baby Boomer exception

Interestingly, the gender investment gap is smallest among Baby Boomers.

While 10 per cent of Baby Boomer men own an investment property, 11.3 per cent of Baby Boomer women do. Unlike younger generations, older women have slightly higher investment property ownership, which experts say could be due to greater financial stability, dual-income households, and accumulated wealth over time.

Regional property hotspots are booming

While affordability remains a major barrier in capital cities, regional property markets continue to thrive, presenting a potential investment opportunity – especially for women looking for a more accessible entry point.

Ray White’s latest report shows that city-to-country migration is nearly 20 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels, with demand pushing property prices up in key areas.

The top regional growth areas

• Townsville, Queensland Prices surged 24.4 per cent in February, making it Australia’s hottest regional market
• Pilbara and Goldfields, Western Australia Strong mining demand continues to drive growth.
• Regional WA Home prices up 13.3 per cent year-on-year
• Regional South Australia Prices have climbed 11.3 per cent in the past year
• Wollongong and Newcastle, NSW Growth continues but at a slower pace

With lower buy-in costs and strong capital growth, regional property could be a smart investment choice for women looking to start or expand their portfolios.

How to close the gender property investment gap

Experts say the key to closing the gender investment gap is financial education and confidence-building initiatives.

That includes the emergence of more female-focused investment groups that provide mentorship and advice from experienced investors, offer investment workshops and courses, and connect women with qualified financial experts.

Women who receive financial education are more likely to invest, whether in property, shares, or superannuation – which can lead to greater long-term financial independence.

While women still lag behind men in property investment, the booming regional market could provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap.

With lower entry prices and strong growth potential, investing in regional real estate may be one way for women to build wealth and secure their financial future.

This article first appeared on View.com.au. Read the original here