55% of Americans say they are “just about keeping up” or “falling behind” financially, as a new YouGov report reveals growing pressure on household finances

A new report from YouGov, U.S. debt, investment, and savings report 2026, reveals that a majority of Americans (55%) say they are either “just about keeping up” or “falling behind” financially, underscoring the financial strain many households continue to face in an uncertain economic environment. 

Compared to the 21 countries surveyed for the report, the U.S. ranks near the bottom on financial momentum, with just 34% of Americans saying they are “getting ahead” or “comfortably ahead” financially. Consumers are cutting back, relying on savings, and increasingly turning to credit to cover everyday expenses—highlighting a gap between staying afloat and making meaningful financial progress.

The report, based on a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults, explores how Americans are navigating rising costs, limited savings, and uncertain financial prospects, and what it means for debt, saving, and investment behavior today.

Key findings from the report include:

• Only 34% of Americans say they are getting ahead or comfortably ahead financially
• 43% have cut non-essential spending in the past year, and 24% have cut essential spending
• 16% have used savings to cover everyday expenses
• 58% of Americans have some form of debt, with borrowing often used to manage cash flow rather than build long-term wealth 
• 44% have unsecured debt, and among them, 26% owe $10,000 or more 
• 22% have no savings beyond what they need for regular expenses, and only 31% have more than $5,000 in savings
• Nearly half (45%) of Americans with savings over $1,000 would not invest any of it in the next 12 months
• Only 22% believe saving and investing will help them get ahead, while 21% say they will need investment returns, and 15% say they will need a major financial break
• Among aspiring homeowners, only 33% expect to be able to buy a home in the future, with 67% saying it is not realistically achievable)

Kerri Holiman, Vice President, Financial Services, YouGov, said:

“Americans are managing, but for many, that doesn’t mean they’re moving forward. This data shows a growing disconnect between stability and progress. Even those who are keeping up are often relying on savings, cutting back, or using credit to bridge gaps. In an environment where costs remain high and financial uncertainty persists, getting ahead increasingly feels out of reach. For financial institutions and brands, understanding that tension is critical to supporting consumers in a way that reflects how they are actually managing their money today.”

The U.S. debt, investment, and savings report 2026 can be downloaded here.

Methodology

The findings are based on data collected via YouGov Surveys: Serviced between February 2 and March 6, 2026, among a nationally representative sample of over 1,450 U.S. adults, as part of a study conducted across 21 international markets.