- 73% of U.S. adults report being financially okay or better, stable from prior year.
- Only 26% rate the national economy as good or excellent, down from pre-pandemic levels.
- Disparities persist: lower-income, younger, and Black adults see declines; 42% worry about jobs.
Financial Wellbeing Holds Steady Amid Lingering Concerns
The Federal Reserve's latest Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED) shows that Americans' financial wellbeing remained largely stable in 2025, with 73% of adults saying they are doing at least okay financially. However, that headline masks deep anxieties: just 63% could cover a $400 emergency expense without borrowing or selling something, and concerns about job security rose to 42%, up from 38% a year earlier.
“While overall wellbeing has held up, the data reveal a fragile optimism,” a Fed official said, noting that lower-income households, younger adults, and Black adults were more likely to report declines. Only 26% of respondents rated the national economy as good or excellent, a sharp drop from pre-pandemic levels.
Spending Adjustments and AI at Work
Most households continue to alter spending due to higher prices, the survey found. About one in four workers reported using generative AI on the job, and those who did were more likely to see career benefits than to fear job replacement. The findings underscore a bifurcated economy: solid aggregate metrics coexist with widespread financial strain and uneven recovery.
The Fed's report, based on responses collected in 2024 and early 2025, offers a detailed look at how Americans are navigating persistent inflation and a shifting labor market. A separate release is expected later this year to provide additional subgroup analysis, though no specific date has been set.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the percentage of adults able to cover a $400 emergency. The correct figure is 63%, not 61%.