Among the findings in the 2012 ASX Share Ownership Survey, which was released yesterday, was the revelation that Australia is one of the world's most investment savvy countries just behind Hong Kong.
The survey noted that up to 34% of Australians directly own shares, compared to only 23% in New Zealand, 15% in Sweden and Germany and 17% in the UK. The last measure for US households in 2008 estimated that 45% of households owned shares.
With an enviable natural resources industry and some of the world's largest mining companies including BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) listed on the local bourse, as well as a flourishing telecommunications sector with the likes of Telstra (ASX: TLS), it's easy to see why Australia ranks near the top.
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