Core Insights - A significant number of young Australians are turning to the stock market as home ownership becomes increasingly unattainable due to soaring property prices [1][5] - The shift in investment behavior is particularly pronounced among Australians under 40, who find stock market investments more appealing compared to the challenges of entering the real estate market [1][5] Group 1: Investment Trends - Economist Tom Piotrowski notes that the difficulty in affording homes has made stock market investments a more attractive option for young Australians [1] - CommSec's data indicates that nearly half of its investors are under 40 years old, with 2.9 million young investors participating on the platform [3][4] - The average investment in stocks by Australians is reported to be AUD 24,020 [4] Group 2: Demographic Shifts - The proportion of CommSec clients under 40 has surged to 39.8%, up from just over 25% in 2020 [7] - The percentage of women holding stocks has nearly doubled in the past five years, attributed to increased financial literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic [7] - Piotrowski highlights a significant wealth transfer from the baby boomer generation to younger generations, influencing their investment choices [5]