Hong Kong women lead Asia with 45% sole finance control

Only 7% seek professional advice.

Hong Kong women had the strongest household financial decision-making role amongst six surveyed Asian markets, with 45% saying they were the sole decision-makers for long-term investment and financial planning.

Sun Life said two-thirds of respondents in Hong Kong, or 67%, had the final say on financial decisions, but only 7% had sought professional financial advice, the lowest rate in the region.

The survey also pointed to caregiving as a major financial strain, with 72% saying the burden of supporting family members was the main barrier to improving their own financial security. It added that 58% said caregiving limited their ability to self-care, whilst 56% said it had affected their career progression.

Retirement readiness also appeared uneven. Sun Life said 69% felt their savings would cover basic living costs until age 75, but confidence fell to 51% by age 80 and just 8% beyond age 90, below Hong Kong women’s average life expectancy of about 88 to 89 years.

The January 2026 survey covered more than 3,001 respondents across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, including about 501 in Hong Kong.