Would the majority of investors across all nations benefit more from stock market assets rather than property ownership?

I observed that, apart from investors in the U.S. stock market, there is a lower percentage of stock ownership in other nations. Would it be more prudent to engage in the stock market rather than in real estate? I understand that this is a multifaceted issue regarding the obstacles investors encounter in their respective countries. Could investors elaborate on the challenges they face in their country?