Young women are turning their back on sharing wealth with their partner, a survey has revealed, as they gravitate towards being financially independent.

A survey of nearly 4,000 British women found that 31 per cent of those aged between 16 and 34 opted against sharing financial assets with their significant other.

Meanwhile the majority of those aged over 55 choose to share their wealth, with only 26 per cent not doing so, according to the study by Netwealth.

It said a "backdrop of later-in-life marriages, higher divorce rates and increased financial earnings" had prompted the shift.

Netwealth CEO Charlotte Ransom said: "The traditional approach to managing finances jointly is being overturned by a new generation of financially more autonomous females.

"With women increasingly entering marriage later in life, after years of earning their own income and controlling their own finances, it's unsurprising that many are turning their back on a 'what's mine is yours' approach."

Nearly half of women (45 per cent) keeping their wealth separate said it was to maintain financial independence.

Two fifths (40 per cent) prefer to manage their money themselves, while 15 per cent do not believe their partner is entitled to their assets, the study revealed.

Some 3,876 women aged 16 and over were questioned across two surveys in May and June.