Beyond Tell Sid: Lessons from Aberdeen’s research into Asia’s investing revolution

There is no single blueprint for building an investing culture. Across Asia, countries have adopted different strategies to encourage participation.

Japan: Abenomics reforms boosted retail investing through stronger corporate governance, better shareholder returns, lower investment minimums and an expanded tax-free NISA scheme.

South Korea: Tackled the “Korea discount” with governance reforms, stronger shareholder rights, tax incentives for dividends and lower transaction taxes on shares.

India: Combined financial education with national campaigns encouraging households to diversify beyond property and gold, led by the successful “Mutual Funds Sahi Hai” initiative.

Singapore: Improved market participation through exchange reforms, government-backed research, dual-listing initiatives and stronger company-investor engagement.

Hong Kong: Built deep, liquid and globally connected capital markets through strong infrastructure and programmes linking domestic and international investors.

China: Cut stamp duty on share transactions, introduced tax-advantaged pensions and strengthened investor protections to boost participation, confidence and market liquidity.

Aberdeen’s six lessons for the UK

1. Scrap stamp duty on UK shares
2. Fix the ‘plumbing’ of financial markets and keep fixing it
3. Strengthen shareholder rights for retail investors
4. Take a long-term approach to financial literacy
5. Stop overcomplicating investing
6. Keep talking about the benefits and risks of long-term investing

The UK has already begun important work. Maintaining momentum will be essential if it is to help more households build financial resilience while developing stronger, more competitive capital markets.

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Risk warning – Investment involves risk. The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future results.