Key Points
- Over 200,000 accounts were added during 2026.
- Small investors account for 77pc of new registrations, while women make up 15pc.
- SECP launches nationwide awareness drive to increase the number of investors to 2.5 million.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s younger generation is showing growing interest in stock market investment, with people aged between 18 and 30 accounting for more than half of the 26,843 new investor accounts opened in a month.
The new entrants registered with Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in October, pointing to ex the expanding culture of financial investment among young people.
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) data showed that the authorities opened 14,634 accounts for people aged 18–30, representing 55 per cent of all new registrations during the month.
Small investors accounted for 77 per cent of the new accounts, suggesting that stock market participation is extending beyond traditional wealthy investors and financial institutions.
A milestone for Pakistan’s capital market
The development is important for Pakistan’s capital market because a larger base of ordinary investors can bring household savings into the formal investment system. More investors would broaden public ownership of listed companies and increase the pool of buyers and sellers.
It also gives companies access to a wider domestic investor base when raising capital.
The total number of investors at the PSX has now crossed 683,000, with more than 200,000 in 2026 alone, according to the SECP.
Young investors dominate new accounts
After the 18–30 age group, individuals aged 31 to 45 opened the most accounts, registering 9,290 during October.
The gender breakdown showed that men opened 22,878 accounts, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of new registrations, while women opened 3,923 accounts, representing 15 per cent.
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The figures also included 801 accounts opened by large investors and 42 corporate accounts.
The strong participation of younger people is particularly notable as it indicates a new generation is beginning to explore shares as an investment option.
However, account registrations do not necessarily reflect the money invested or the actual trading activity.
Punjab leads regional registrations
Punjab recorded the most new accounts, with 14,891 registrations during October, followed by Sindh with 7,643.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributed 1,894 accounts, while Islamabad recorded 1,419.
Balochistan registered 370 new accounts and Azad Jammu and Kashmir 340. Gilgit-Baltistan opened 150 accounts, while overseas investors opened 136 accounts.
The regional figures show that Punjab and Sindh together accounted for most of the new registrations, although the regulator recorded participation across all provinces and administrative regions.
Mercantile exchange also attracts investors
The Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) opened 1,077 new accounts in October, taking its total investor base to 61,915, the SECP said.
Unlike the PSX, which provides a platform for buying and selling shares of listed companies, the PMEX facilitates trading in commodity-related contracts, offering investors exposure to different asset markets.
The SECP said opening accounts at the Pakistan Stock Exchange is made considerably easier to encourage more people to enter the capital market.
The regulator also reported that 13 new public offerings took place in Pakistan’s stock market.
SECP targets 2.5 million investors
SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Sidhu said making investment easier and safer and protecting investors’ rights are the commission’s top priorities.
He said the regulator would ensure transparency and effective market supervision to strengthen investor confidence.
Sidhu said a nationwide awareness campaign was underway to increase the number of capital market investors to 2.5 million.
A larger investor base can help Pakistan develop a deeper domestic capital market, allowing businesses to raise funds from local investors while providing households with opportunities to participate in corporate growth.
