Sun Life: Women Control Finances in Most Asian Families
Women are the final decision makers on finances in most Asian households and they prioritize the welfare of family members, according to insurer Sun Life, but there is a cost behind such caregiving responsibilities.
In Asia, around half of women (51 percent) assume sole responsibility for managing daily expenses within their households, according to a survey by Sun Life, with 41 percent also taking sole charge of long-term investments and finances. Even when decisions are shared, 61 percent have final authority and this rises to 87 percent among female breadwinners.
In terms of motivations behind taking on this duty, the survey cites strong responsibility toward family members (63 percent) as a key reason with half claiming they are willing to sacrifice their own financial security to protect their household welfare.
«Triple Penalty»
But such caregiving responsibilities cause what the survey calls a «triple penalty» of affecting financial security (72 percent), self-care (60 percent), and career advancement (59 percent).
«Women are leading many of the financial decisions in their households. But our research shows that when caregiving responsibilities grow, long-term planning is often the first thing to be pushed aside,» commented David Broom, chief client & distribution officer at Sun Life.
The survey, entitled «Women's Wealth in Focus», was based on findings analyzed and established through 3,001 interviews conducted online across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam in January 2026.
