Women consider men earning less than £50,000 a year to be unsuccessful, research suggests.

Almost half (45 per cent) of the women surveyed said a significant income was their top priority when looking for a partner.

Men are apparently less concerned about their partner’s earnings. Only 22 per cent said a large salary was their top priority and they saw women earning over £42,000 as wealthy and successful.

Of the 3,081 respondents surveyed by National Savings and Investments, men had average savings of £20,335 whilst women had around £14,167.

More than 60 per cent of recipients also said money was important to the success of a relationship.

Dax Harkins, senior savings strategist at National Savings and Investments said: “Our findings show that finances form a very important part of relationship dynamics and this is reflected in the expectations people have.”