Title: How Generation Z is Transforming Investment Behaviour : A Case Study of
the Opportunities and Risks in the UAE Financial Market
Authors:
Aksshat Ahuja
Journal:
International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER)
ISSN: 2455-8834
Volume:
11
Issue:
7
Publication Date:
July 2026
DOI:10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i07.019
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Aksshat Ahuja
MLA 8 Ahuja, Aksshat. "How Generation Z is Transforming Investment Behaviour : A Case Study of the Opportunities and Risks in the UAE Financial Market." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 11, no. 7, July 2026, pp. 3161-3173, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i07.019. Accessed July 2026.
APA 6 Ahuja, A. (2026, July). How Generation Z is Transforming Investment Behaviour : A Case Study of the Opportunities and Risks in the UAE Financial Market. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 11(7), 3161-3173. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i07.019
Chicago Ahuja, Aksshat. "How Generation Z is Transforming Investment Behaviour : A Case Study of the Opportunities and Risks in the UAE Financial Market." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 11, no. 7 (July 2026), 3161-3173. Accessed July, 2026. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2026.v11i07.019.
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ABSTRACT:
As a result of the expansion of digital platforms, lower transaction costs, and wider participation
in financial markets, investing has become increasingly accessible in recent years. This
transformation has been particularly influenced by Generation Z, a cohort characterised by very
strong digital fluency, social awareness, and early engagement with financial markets and
technologies. This research paper set out to examine how Gen Z investors differ from older
generations in their investment behaviour and explore the specific opportunities and risks
presented by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) financial market. The study integrates economic
theories such as Modern Portfolio Theory and the Life-cycle Hypothesis to explain generational
differences in asset allocation, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. Global trends,
including the rise of cryptocurrencies, exchange-traded funds, and sustainable investing, are
analysed alongside behavioural influences such as social media and digital trading platforms. A
case study of the UAE, supported by insights from an interview, highlights how regulatory
openness, fintech development, and favourable tax policies create unique opportunities for
young investors while also exposing them to heightened market volatility and behavioural risks.
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