According to research from Experian, the global information services company, three quarters of British women (75%) say financial responsibility is an attractive quality in a partner – on a par with their intelligence (74%) and more important than appearance (65%), education (47%) and background (26%). Only a good sense of humour (87%) is rated as more attractive.
But the research should not be interpreted as suggesting women are only interested in the size of a partner’s pay packet. On the contrary, women ranked wealth (21%), salary (34%) and occupation (32%) far lower in importance than sharing the same life goals (59%) or family plans (64%) when choosing a partner.
British menfolk may not prioritise a sense of financial responsibility to the same degree (55% - 20 points lower) – and lean slightly more towards appearances (67% - two points higher) – but being responsible with money is nevertheless considered more important than a partner’s education (41%) or background (21%).1
Men also put less importance on a potential partner’s wealth (18% - three points lower), salary (25% - nine points lower) and occupation (19% - 12 points lower) than their female counterparts – although there is a notable discrepancy between the sexes in their view of the importance of life goals (45% - 14 points lower) and family plans (36% - 28 points lower), which could be a potential cause of friction.
Financial prudence is of even greater importance across the pond. 95% of married couples surveyed in the US said that being financially savvy was a key factor for them in choosing their spouse, compared to 66% of married Britons. One in two (50%) also said that credit scores were important to them, compared to just 14% of UK counterparts.
Yet US couples also put far greater stock in their partner’s physical attractiveness – 86% rated this as important, compared to 64% of Brits.
The importance of financial compatibility when it comes to playing Cupid is evident in British couples’ approach to their joint finances. 70% claim they make all big financial decisions together, and won’t spend more than an average of ?313.46 without their other half’s approval.
Where financial harmony is lacking, the consequences are no laughing matter. 60% of respondents admitting to having had arguments with their partner over money (6% regularly), with over-spending accounting for half of all rows (51%).
More seriously, one in 10 couples (11%) has had to postpone taking out a joint credit agreement, such as their first mortgage, because of one partner’s credit score. And additional Experian research has shown that 17% of Britons have seen their or their partner’s credit score harmed through their relationships.
When couples’ finances become linked through joint financial agreements – such as a mortgage – their credit reports become linked. If one partner has a less than perfect history of managing money and repaying debt, it therefore could affect the other’s chances of getting credit in the future and at the best rates.
Women and men’s top qualities in a partner:
Women Men
87% Sense of humour 80% Sense of humour
75% Financial responsibility 67% Physical attractiveness
74% Intelligence 65% Intelligence
65% Physical attractiveness 55% Financial responsibility
64% Family plans 45% Life goals
59% Life goals 41% Education
47% Education 36% Family plans
44% Good salary 25% Good salary
40% Career goals 24% Career goals
32% Type of job 21% Background
26% Background 19% Type of job
21% Wealth 18% Wealth
