The survey also revealed a clear bias among investors to their home country when it comes to regional risk; 44% ranked their own country as the least risky area to invest in followed by Western Europe (29%) and Asia (21%).
On the other hand 61% ranked Africa as the most risky, followed by the Middle East at 54%.
The survey of 2,200 high net worth investors across ten European countries also showed that their future investment intentions may contradict their current views towards risk and asset classes.
According to the survey report, although 79% of total respondents currently invest in their own country, only 33% ranked it as having the best prospects for growth over the next 12 months.
In particular, 95% and 84% of respondents from the UK and Spain respectively invest domestically at the moment, but only approximately 25% ranked their market as having the best investment prospects over the next 12 months.
Similarly, 38% and 22% of total respondents currently invest in Western Europe and North America respectively, but only 12% and 5% respectively ranked the regions as having the best investment prospects over the next 12 months.
Growth expectations for Asia are expected to remain roughly the same over 12 months, despite investors believing that Chinese equities are likely to offer the strongest growth potential and that Asia is one of the least risky regions to invest in, said the report.
Schroders executive vice chairman Massimo Tosato said the global economic recovery is facing a number of headwinds in 2011 and the investment outlook remains highly uncertain.
"Our research highlights an interesting contradiction between high net worth investor sentiment and potential investment intentions. However, it supports the fact that investors are undoubtedly seeking opportunities that give them access to growth stories like China," Tosato said.
