Popular wisdom in Italy means families hold about 54% of their wealth in property and just 15% in stocks.

Popular wisdom in Italy means families hold about 54% of their wealth in property and just 15% in stocks.

Photographer: Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/Redux

Italians’ Fear of Buying Stocks Is Costing the Country Billions

Italy is locked into a failing investment strategy that is costing families billions of euros and holding back efforts to get their economy growing.

Regardless of what happens in financial markets or the advice of investment professionals, there is one central principle for most Italian households when it comes to savings: you need to own real estate.