Self-Investment Boom Spreads, Over 40% Driven by 'Anxiety About the Future': 500 People Surveyed on 'Why Start Now'

Forit Co., Ltd., which develops and operates the affiliate platform "afb" (<https://www.afi-b.com/>), conducted a nationwide survey on "Spring Self-Investment" targeting 500 people and summarized the characteristics by age group and other factors.

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【Background of the Survey】

With the expansion of New NISA, the lifting of side job bans, and the widespread use of AI, more people are becoming conscious of investing in themselves. Especially in recent years, there has been an active movement to acquire new skills and form assets, driven by anxieties about income and careers. Therefore, this time, we conducted a survey on the reasons for starting self-investment.

【Survey Overview】

Target audience: Men and women aged 10-60 nationwide

Sample size: 500 people

Residence: Nationwide

Survey method: Online research

Survey date: March 2, 2026

【Question: Why did you decide to start 'now'?】

Response options for the question are as follows:

1. To alleviate future financial anxieties

2. Feeling a sense of crisis about my current job (rise of AI, fear of bankruptcy/restructuring)

3. New life changes and wanting a fresh start

4. Having more free time (improved time performance, reduced overtime)

5. Influenced by social media and surroundings (don't want to be left behind)

6. Other

Financial anxiety and environmental changes are major triggers for self-investment

A nationwide survey targeting men and women aged 10-60 on "Why did you decide to start self-investment 'now'?" revealed that the most common answer was "To alleviate future financial anxieties" at 40.1%. This was followed by "New life changes and wanting a fresh start" at 30.5%, and "Feeling a sense of crisis about my current job (rise of AI, fear of bankruptcy/restructuring)" at 23.9%.

Self-investment motivations differ by generation: Younger generations seek stimulation, middle-aged generations seek future security

The results by age group show a strong reflection of each generation's life stage and social anxieties. First, for those in their 20s to 40s, "To alleviate future financial anxieties" accounted for a high percentage, exceeding 50% particularly for those in their 30s and 40s. This is thought to be due to a growing awareness that "savings alone are not enough" amidst rising prices, anxieties about old age, and the penetration of New NISA. Furthermore, for those in their 40s and 50s, the percentage for "Feeling a sense of crisis about my current job" was also high, suggesting that a sense of crisis regarding changes in working styles, such as the rise of AI, employment anxieties, and mandatory retirement from management positions, is leading to a desire for self-investment. The 40s, in particular, are a generation at a career turning point, and anxieties like "Is this good enough?" are strongly reflected. On the other hand, for those in their teens, "New life changes and wanting a fresh start" was the highest at 40.3%, indicating that environmental changes unique to spring, such as entering higher education or finding employment, are major triggers. For those in their 20s, "Influenced by social media and surroundings" was relatively high, suggesting that comparisons with peers and a high sensitivity to trends are influencing their actions. Overall, it can be said that for younger generations, "environmental change/stimulation" is the main driving force for self-investment, for middle-aged generations it is "future anxiety/career crisis," and for older generations it is "more free time."

Strong anxieties even in stable jobs? Self-investment awareness by working style

The results by occupation show that the reasons for starting self-investment vary greatly depending on each working style and living environment. First, for company employees and civil servants, "To alleviate future financial anxieties" was high at 43.0%, and "Feeling a sense of crisis about my current job" also stood out at 34.2%. Even in occupations considered stable, a sense of crisis regarding social changes such as AI integration, wage stagnation, and the lifting of side job bans may be intensifying. For self-employed individuals and management, "New life changes and wanting a fresh start" was relatively high at 31.3%, reflecting an awareness of adapting to new businesses and environmental changes. For full-time homemakers, "To alleviate future financial anxieties" was exceptionally high at 76.5%, standing out among all attributes. This suggests a strong interest in self-investment as a means to protect household finances due to rising prices, education costs, and anxieties about old age.

Anxieties persist even in high-income brackets? Self-investment goals differ by annual income

The results by household annual income show clear differences in the reasons for starting self-investment depending on income status. All

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