Financial professionals generally agree that the sooner you begin investing, the more time your carefully balanced, diversified portfolio has to grow—and, theoretically, to deliver greater returns. For years, this wisdom went largely unheeded—until millennials (and now Gen Z), armed with more financial knowledge, broader market access, lower fees, and a clear need to build wealth early, proved that young people are indeed eager to invest in stocks, bonds, and other assets.

When Did Each Generation Start Investing?

According to the 2024 Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, nearly 60% of Americans are currently invested in the market—a record high and a notable jump from just 53% in 2019, as reported by the U.S. Federal Reserve. This growth in market participation reflects a major cultural and technological shift, especially among younger generations.

Today’s landscape shows that people are investing earlier than ever before, thanks to easier access to financial markets through apps, online brokerages, and social media-fueled financial literacy. A few decades ago, it was common for people to wait until their mid-30s to start investing. Now, many teens are making their first investments before leaving high school.

Here's a closer look at when each generation, on average, began their investing journey based on Schwab’s 2024 data:

Generation Z – Age 19

Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, holds the title for the youngest investors in history. According to Schwab, they began investing at an average age of 19, well below the national average of 30.

This early start may be the result of improved financial education and digital exposure. Notably, 28% of Gen Z respondents said they learned about investing in school—a significant improvement over the 19% of millennials and just 12% of Gen X who said the same. Coupled with mobile trading platforms and investment-focused social media, Gen Z is reshaping the narrative around who participates in the financial markets.

Millennials – Age 25

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, were the next earliest to enter the investing world, starting at an average age of 25. As the first generation to grow up alongside the internet, many millennials had access to financial resources, blogs, and fintech tools that made investing more approachable.

Today, 54% of millennials are active investors, according to Schwab’s survey—demonstrating that this generation has embraced investing as a crucial part of wealth-building.

Generation X – Age 32

Those born between 1965 and 1980, known as Gen X, came into investing later in life—on average, at age 32. Many in this generation lacked access to financial education in school and came of age before the digital revolution in personal finance. As a result, their investing journey often began later, typically after achieving some financial stability through work and family life.

Baby Boomers – Age 35

Baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, are the generation with the latest average start—age 35. While this group now has the highest percentage of investors (63%), many didn’t begin investing until well into adulthood, often after reaching major life milestones like homeownership or retirement planning.

Given that many boomers are now retired or approaching retirement, their investment strategies today are likely more focused on income generation and capital preservation than growth.

The Bigger Picture

The average age Americans start investing today is 30, but this number is steadily falling as technology, awareness, and access reshape the investing landscape. Younger generations—particularly Gen Z and millennials—are breaking old stereotypes and proving that the desire to build wealth can start early.

This generational shift suggests a brighter financial future, driven by earlier compounding, increased financial literacy, and a more inclusive investment culture.

When Should You Start Investing?

A common misconception—often fueled by social media and hype-driven headlines—is that investing can make you rich overnight. In reality, very few people achieve sudden wealth through investing alone. True investing success is typically built over years, even decades, through a disciplined approach that includes diversification, consistency, and patience.

That’s why the best time to start investing is as early as possible.

Why Starting Early Matters

One of the most powerful advantages early investors have is time in the market. Historically, financial markets tend to trend upward over the long term, even if they experience volatility in the short run. The longer your money stays invested, the more opportunity it has to grow as your earnings begin to generate earnings of their own—a process known as compound growth.

As the saying goes: “It’s not about timing the market, but time in the market.”

The Power of Compound Growth: An Example

To understand the impact of starting early, let’s compare two hypothetical investors with the same investment strategy:

• Investor A starts investing at age 25
  
  
• Investor B waits until age 35
  
  
• Both contribute $200 per month
  
  
• Both earn an average annual return of 6%
  
  
• Both stop investing at age 65
  
  

Results at Age 65:

• Investor A contributes for 40 years
  
  
  
  • Total contributions: $96,000
    
    
  • Final portfolio value: ~$400,000
    
    
• Investor B contributes for 30 years
  
  
  
  • Total contributions: $72,000
    
    
  • Final portfolio value: ~$230,000
    
    

Despite only contributing $24,000 more, Investor A ends up with nearly double the portfolio value compared to Investor B—simply because they started 10 years earlier. This is the power of compounding at work.

What If You’re Starting Late?

If you didn’t begin investing in your 20s, don’t panic. Starting late is still far better than not starting at all. Even beginning in your 40s or 50s can allow you to build meaningful wealth, especially with a well-structured portfolio and consistent contributions. In fact, with higher earning potential later in life, some people are able to catch up by investing more aggressively or increasing their monthly contributions.

How Compound Real Estate Bonds (CREB) Help You Get Started—At Any Age

Whether you’re just beginning or catching up, Compound Real Estate Bonds offer a smart, accessible way to grow your money with 8.5% APY, no fees, and the ability to withdraw anytime. Unlike volatile stocks or risky ventures, CREB investments are backed by real assets and U.S. Treasuries, giving you peace of mind with fixed income.

What makes CREB especially attractive for younger and newer investors:

• Start with as little as $10
  
  
• Auto-invest and round-up features make consistent investing effortless
  
  
• Your money earns daily interest, compounding faster over time
  
  
• Ideal for all ages—whether you’re 19 or 59
  
  

By offering a balance of security and growth, CREB is bridging the gap between generations and making early investing easier than ever.