GITNUXREPORT 2025

Fund Industry Statistics

Global fund industry assets hit $117 trillion fueled by passive and sustainable investments.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global fund industry assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $117 trillion in 2023

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US mutual funds held about $25 trillion in assets as of mid-2023

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The number of registered investment funds worldwide exceeded 150,000 in 2023

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Passively managed funds (ETFs and index funds) accounted for over 50% of total US fund assets in 2023

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The global ETF industry assets surpassed $9 trillion in 2023

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As of 2023, Europe’s fund industry manages approximately €17 trillion in assets

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The Asia-Pacific fund industry managed over $20 trillion in assets in 2023

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The number of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds worldwide increased by 34% in 2023

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Nearly 60% of fund assets are now invested in sustainable funds globally in 2023

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The total number of hedge funds worldwide was around 9,600 in 2023

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The largest fund manager in the world by AUM is BlackRock, managing over $8 trillion in 2023

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Passive funds grew by approximately 15% globally in 2023, surpassing actively managed funds in overall growth rate

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The median fund size in the US was around $250 million in 2023, indicating increased consolidation

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Brazil’s fund industry grew 8% in 2023, reaching approximately BRL 3 trillion in assets

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The number of open-end mutual funds in the US decreased slightly by 2% in 2023, reflecting industry consolidation

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Japan’s fund industry managed over ¥160 trillion in assets in 2023, showing steady growth

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Fixed income funds constitute about 40% of total mutual fund assets in the US in 2023, reflecting ongoing demand for bond investments

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The mutual fund industry in India managed over ₹40 trillion in assets in 2023, with a growth rate of 12% year-over-year

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The number of fund mergers and acquisitions increased by 20% in 2023, indicating industry consolidation trends

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ETFs operating in the US specialize in various sectors, with technology ETFs holding approximately $1.5 trillion in assets in 2023

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The fund industry’s overall net inflows were approximately $600 billion globally in 2023, showing strong investor confidence

Statistic 22

The average small-cap fund size in the US was approximately $150 million in 2023, indicating growth in smaller fund sectors

Statistic 23

The percentage of funds with ESG ratings increased to 35% globally in 2023, emphasizing ESG integration

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Institutional investors accounted for approximately 70% of fund assets globally in 2023, reflecting dominance in fund ownership

Statistic 25

The number of digital and robo-advisory fund platforms increased by 25% globally in 2023, further democratizing access to fund products

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The total assets under management for private equity funds globally exceeded $4.5 trillion in 2023, indicating strong growth

Statistic 27

The number of fund-related fintech startups rose by 18% in 2023, indicating innovation in the fund industry’s technology space

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The total number of closed-end funds worldwide was around 2,500 in 2023, showing stability in this fund structure

Statistic 29

The global structured funds market grew by 12% in 2023, reaching over $1 trillion in assets, indicating increased financial engineering

Statistic 30

Average expense ratio for active mutual funds in the US was approximately 0.75% in 2023

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The average fund fee in Europe is approximately 0.45%, lower than the US average

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Industry-wide compliance costs for fund managers increased by around 10% in 2023 due to regulatory shifts

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The average fund management fee in Asia is approximately 0.55%, somewhat lower than North America

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Fund industry employment worldwide employed around 2 million professionals in 2023, encompassing fund managers, analysts, and compliance officers

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The average bond fund expense ratio in the US was about 0.50% in 2023, lower than equity fund fees

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The average monthly return for global equity funds was approximately 1.2% in 2023, showing positive performance

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The average fund management fee in Canada is around 0.60%, competitive relative to other regions

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The average risk-adjusted return for global mutual funds was approximately 8% in 2023, demonstrating competitive performance

Statistic 39

The average annualized performance of government bond funds in developed markets was approximately 2% in 2023, reflecting low yield environments

Statistic 40

The average equity fund expense ratio in Australia was approximately 0.50% in 2023, lower than the global average

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The proportion of funds classified as “alternative” structures increased to 12% of total assets in 2023, reflecting diversification strategies

Statistic 42

The proportion of actively managed funds in Europe declined slightly to 48% in 2023, with a shift toward passive strategies

Statistic 43

Total net flows into passive mutual funds in the US exceeded $350 billion in 2023, representing increased retail and institutional shift to passive investing

Statistic 44

The proportion of index funds in US fund portfolios increased to 40% in 2023, reflecting investor preference for passive strategies

Statistic 45

The proportion of sovereign wealth fund assets invested in global equities was about 35% in 2023, highlighting their diversification strategies

Statistic 46

The number of new fund launches globally increased by 14% in 2023, reflecting innovation and product diversification

Statistic 47

The average fund investor age in the US is approximately 52 years old as of 2023, indicating aging investor demographics

Statistic 48

The average fund turnover ratio in developed markets was approximately 70% in 2023, indicating active trading levels

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The proportion of retail investor participation in fund markets reached 55% globally in 2023, up from 45% in 2018, indicating rising retail involvement

Statistic 50

The average fund redemption rate in the US was approximately 3% per year in 2023, pointing to stable investor flows

Statistic 51

Sustainable bond funds saw inflows of over $50 billion in 2023, highlighting growing investor interest in green and social bonds

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Fund distribution via digital channels increased to 60% of new fund sales globally in 2023, emphasizing digital transformation

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The proportion of retail investors using robo-advisors to invest in funds rose to 30% globally in 2023, up from 10% five years prior, indicating adoption of technology in investment decisions

Statistic 54

The number of fund distribution channels increased to over 200,000 worldwide in 2023, including direct, broker, and digital platforms

Statistic 55

The Asia-Pacific region saw a 10% increase in retail fund investor assets in 2023, driven by growing middle-class wealth

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Key Highlights

The global fund industry assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $117 trillion in 2023
US mutual funds held about $25 trillion in assets as of mid-2023
The number of registered investment funds worldwide exceeded 150,000 in 2023
Average expense ratio for active mutual funds in the US was approximately 0.75% in 2023
Passively managed funds (ETFs and index funds) accounted for over 50% of total US fund assets in 2023
The global ETF industry assets surpassed $9 trillion in 2023
As of 2023, Europe’s fund industry manages approximately €17 trillion in assets
The Asia-Pacific fund industry managed over $20 trillion in assets in 2023
The average fund fee in Europe is approximately 0.45%, lower than the US average
The number of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds worldwide increased by 34% in 2023
Nearly 60% of fund assets are now invested in sustainable funds globally in 2023
The total number of hedge funds worldwide was around 9,600 in 2023
The largest fund manager in the world by AUM is BlackRock, managing over $8 trillion in 2023

The fund industry is booming in 2023, with assets soaring to nearly $117 trillion worldwide, passive funds dominating over half of US investments, and a remarkable 34% surge in ESG funds reflecting a global shift toward sustainable investing.

Fund Industry Size and Assets

The global fund industry assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $117 trillion in 2023
US mutual funds held about $25 trillion in assets as of mid-2023
The number of registered investment funds worldwide exceeded 150,000 in 2023
Passively managed funds (ETFs and index funds) accounted for over 50% of total US fund assets in 2023
The global ETF industry assets surpassed $9 trillion in 2023
As of 2023, Europe’s fund industry manages approximately €17 trillion in assets
The Asia-Pacific fund industry managed over $20 trillion in assets in 2023
The number of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds worldwide increased by 34% in 2023
Nearly 60% of fund assets are now invested in sustainable funds globally in 2023
The total number of hedge funds worldwide was around 9,600 in 2023
The largest fund manager in the world by AUM is BlackRock, managing over $8 trillion in 2023
Passive funds grew by approximately 15% globally in 2023, surpassing actively managed funds in overall growth rate
The median fund size in the US was around $250 million in 2023, indicating increased consolidation
Brazil’s fund industry grew 8% in 2023, reaching approximately BRL 3 trillion in assets
The number of open-end mutual funds in the US decreased slightly by 2% in 2023, reflecting industry consolidation
Japan’s fund industry managed over ¥160 trillion in assets in 2023, showing steady growth
Fixed income funds constitute about 40% of total mutual fund assets in the US in 2023, reflecting ongoing demand for bond investments
The mutual fund industry in India managed over ₹40 trillion in assets in 2023, with a growth rate of 12% year-over-year
The number of fund mergers and acquisitions increased by 20% in 2023, indicating industry consolidation trends
ETFs operating in the US specialize in various sectors, with technology ETFs holding approximately $1.5 trillion in assets in 2023
The fund industry’s overall net inflows were approximately $600 billion globally in 2023, showing strong investor confidence
The average small-cap fund size in the US was approximately $150 million in 2023, indicating growth in smaller fund sectors
The percentage of funds with ESG ratings increased to 35% globally in 2023, emphasizing ESG integration
Institutional investors accounted for approximately 70% of fund assets globally in 2023, reflecting dominance in fund ownership
The number of digital and robo-advisory fund platforms increased by 25% globally in 2023, further democratizing access to fund products
The total assets under management for private equity funds globally exceeded $4.5 trillion in 2023, indicating strong growth
The number of fund-related fintech startups rose by 18% in 2023, indicating innovation in the fund industry’s technology space
The total number of closed-end funds worldwide was around 2,500 in 2023, showing stability in this fund structure
The global structured funds market grew by 12% in 2023, reaching over $1 trillion in assets, indicating increased financial engineering

Fund Industry Size and Assets Interpretation

With global fund assets soaring past $117 trillion—led by passive ETFs surpassing $9 trillion and a 60% tilt toward sustainable investing—industry consolidation, technological innovation, and ESG integration in 2023 reveal a fund landscape that’s not just bigger but smarter and more socially conscious than ever.

Fund Management, Fees, and Performance

Average expense ratio for active mutual funds in the US was approximately 0.75% in 2023
The average fund fee in Europe is approximately 0.45%, lower than the US average
Industry-wide compliance costs for fund managers increased by around 10% in 2023 due to regulatory shifts
The average fund management fee in Asia is approximately 0.55%, somewhat lower than North America
Fund industry employment worldwide employed around 2 million professionals in 2023, encompassing fund managers, analysts, and compliance officers
The average bond fund expense ratio in the US was about 0.50% in 2023, lower than equity fund fees
The average monthly return for global equity funds was approximately 1.2% in 2023, showing positive performance
The average fund management fee in Canada is around 0.60%, competitive relative to other regions
The average risk-adjusted return for global mutual funds was approximately 8% in 2023, demonstrating competitive performance
The average annualized performance of government bond funds in developed markets was approximately 2% in 2023, reflecting low yield environments
The average equity fund expense ratio in Australia was approximately 0.50% in 2023, lower than the global average

Fund Management, Fees, and Performance Interpretation

Despite global regulatory costs rising 10% and regional fee disparities, the fund industry’s steady 1.2% monthly equity returns and manageable expense ratios — like Australia’s 0.50% and Europe’s 0.45% — underscore its resilience, demonstrating that even as compliance costs climb, investors still find value in a competitive, albeit fee-sensitive, universe of assets.

Fund Types and Investment Vehicles

The proportion of funds classified as “alternative” structures increased to 12% of total assets in 2023, reflecting diversification strategies
The proportion of actively managed funds in Europe declined slightly to 48% in 2023, with a shift toward passive strategies
Total net flows into passive mutual funds in the US exceeded $350 billion in 2023, representing increased retail and institutional shift to passive investing
The proportion of index funds in US fund portfolios increased to 40% in 2023, reflecting investor preference for passive strategies
The proportion of sovereign wealth fund assets invested in global equities was about 35% in 2023, highlighting their diversification strategies
The number of new fund launches globally increased by 14% in 2023, reflecting innovation and product diversification

Fund Types and Investment Vehicles Interpretation

As fund managers diversify their strategies—from increasing alternative assets and passive investments to launching innovative products—2023 underscores a market in transition where adaptability and diversification are the new benchmarks for success.

Investor Behavior, Trends, and Regulatory Aspects

The average fund investor age in the US is approximately 52 years old as of 2023, indicating aging investor demographics
The average fund turnover ratio in developed markets was approximately 70% in 2023, indicating active trading levels
The proportion of retail investor participation in fund markets reached 55% globally in 2023, up from 45% in 2018, indicating rising retail involvement
The average fund redemption rate in the US was approximately 3% per year in 2023, pointing to stable investor flows
Sustainable bond funds saw inflows of over $50 billion in 2023, highlighting growing investor interest in green and social bonds
Fund distribution via digital channels increased to 60% of new fund sales globally in 2023, emphasizing digital transformation
The proportion of retail investors using robo-advisors to invest in funds rose to 30% globally in 2023, up from 10% five years prior, indicating adoption of technology in investment decisions

Investor Behavior, Trends, and Regulatory Aspects Interpretation

As the investor landscape matures with an aging demographic and a shifting digital-savvy retail base, active trading remains the norm amid stable flows and a booming green bond market, all while robo-advisors and digital channels reshape the way funds are bought and sold.

Regional Fund Market Developments

The number of fund distribution channels increased to over 200,000 worldwide in 2023, including direct, broker, and digital platforms
The Asia-Pacific region saw a 10% increase in retail fund investor assets in 2023, driven by growing middle-class wealth

Regional Fund Market Developments Interpretation

With over 200,000 distribution channels globally, the fund industry’s digital proliferation and Asia-Pacific’s 10% retail asset surge highlight a world where wealth is democratizing and options are expanding—making investing more accessible, yet more complex.