GITNUXREPORT 2025

Financial Wellness Statistics

Majority of Americans lack savings, face debt, and feel financially stressed.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

51% of Americans have no debt other than a mortgage

Statistic 2

The average American has $96,371 in total debt

Statistic 3

23% of Americans are behind on their student loan payments

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27% of Americans have used payday loans in the past year

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33% of Americans with credit card debt have only minimum payments each month

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20% of Americans have borrowed money from friends or family for financial help

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49% of Americans find it difficult to identify investments with the best returns

Statistic 8

46% of Americans have checked their credit score in the past year

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38% of Americans have no estate plan or will

Statistic 10

67% of Americans support mandatory financial education in schools

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Nearly 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings

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About 40% of Americans don’t track their spending regularly

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42% of Americans have less than three months’ worth of emergency savings

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48% of American adults have canceled or postponed a financial goal due to lack of funds

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62% of Americans feel unprepared for a financial emergency

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33% of Americans never make financial resolutions or plans

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41% of Americans have missed a mortgage or rent payment in the past year

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44% of low-income households have no savings at all

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75% of Americans support employer-based financial wellness programs

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68% of Americans would struggle to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense

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65% of adults in the US lack a written financial plan

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29% of Americans have no emergency fund

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60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck

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78% of Americans worry about money at least occasionally

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Only 24% of Americans feel financially confident

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21% of Americans have been late on a bill in the past year

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61% of millennials and Gen Z say they have delayed major purchases due to financial concerns

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45% of Americans are stressed about their financial future

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72% of Americans with debt report that it causes them stress

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67% of Americans are worried about inflation impacting their financial security

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37% of Americans have difficulty paying for healthcare costs

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70% of Americans have concerns about debt, even if they are current on payments

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47% of college graduates report feeling financially anxious

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55% of women are more likely than men to avoid discussing their finances

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37% of Americans say they feel overwhelmed by financial choices

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54% of Americans believe the government should do more to help improve financial wellness

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52% of Americans report anxiety over debt

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66% of Americans with student loans say their debt impacts their mental health

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43% of Americans have missed a financial deadline, such as a bill or loan payment, in the past year

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59% of workers say financial stress has affected their productivity at work

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35% of Americans have no retirement savings

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58% of Americans say they are saving less for retirement compared to five years ago

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55% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings for retirement

Statistic 44

50% of Americans have no long-term financial plan

Statistic 45

54% of Americans believe they are behind in saving for retirement

Statistic 46

49% of Americans say they are not on track to meet their retirement goals

Statistic 47

69% of Americans think they will need to work longer than planned to retire comfortably

Statistic 48

40% of Americans believe they will not be able to retire comfortably

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Sources

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Key Highlights

60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
Nearly 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings
About 40% of Americans don’t track their spending regularly
35% of Americans have no retirement savings
78% of Americans worry about money at least occasionally
Only 24% of Americans feel financially confident
51% of Americans have no debt other than a mortgage
The average American has $96,371 in total debt
21% of Americans have been late on a bill in the past year
58% of Americans say they are saving less for retirement compared to five years ago
42% of Americans have less than three months’ worth of emergency savings
61% of millennials and Gen Z say they have delayed major purchases due to financial concerns
45% of Americans are stressed about their financial future

Did you know that over 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and nearly 70% have less than $1,000 in savings, revealing a nation where financial wellness remains an elusive goal for most?

Debt and Borrowing Behavior

51% of Americans have no debt other than a mortgage
The average American has $96,371 in total debt
23% of Americans are behind on their student loan payments
27% of Americans have used payday loans in the past year
33% of Americans with credit card debt have only minimum payments each month
20% of Americans have borrowed money from friends or family for financial help

Debt and Borrowing Behavior Interpretation

While over half of Americans boast no debt beyond their mortgage, the staggering figures—averaging nearly $100,000 in total debt, widespread student loan delinquency, reliance on payday loans, minimal credit card payments, and borrowing from loved ones—highlight a nation caught in a complex balancing act between financial independence and dependence on debt, revealing that financial wellness remains a fragile achievement rather than a universal reality.

Financial Knowledge and Planning

49% of Americans find it difficult to identify investments with the best returns
46% of Americans have checked their credit score in the past year
38% of Americans have no estate plan or will
67% of Americans support mandatory financial education in schools

Financial Knowledge and Planning Interpretation

Nearly half of Americans struggle to spot top investments and lack estate plans, yet two-thirds champion mandatory financial education, revealing a nation eager to improve its financial literacy despite gaps in personal preparedness.

Financial Stability and Emergency Funds

Nearly 70% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings
About 40% of Americans don’t track their spending regularly
42% of Americans have less than three months’ worth of emergency savings
48% of American adults have canceled or postponed a financial goal due to lack of funds
62% of Americans feel unprepared for a financial emergency
33% of Americans never make financial resolutions or plans
41% of Americans have missed a mortgage or rent payment in the past year
44% of low-income households have no savings at all
75% of Americans support employer-based financial wellness programs
68% of Americans would struggle to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense
65% of adults in the US lack a written financial plan
29% of Americans have no emergency fund

Financial Stability and Emergency Funds Interpretation

With nearly 70% of Americans holding less than $1,000 in savings and over 60% feeling unprepared for emergencies, it’s clear that financial literacy and proactive planning remain elusive goals in the land of opportunity, leaving many vulnerable despite widespread support for employer-based wellness programs.

Financial Stress and Confidence

60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
78% of Americans worry about money at least occasionally
Only 24% of Americans feel financially confident
21% of Americans have been late on a bill in the past year
61% of millennials and Gen Z say they have delayed major purchases due to financial concerns
45% of Americans are stressed about their financial future
72% of Americans with debt report that it causes them stress
67% of Americans are worried about inflation impacting their financial security
37% of Americans have difficulty paying for healthcare costs
70% of Americans have concerns about debt, even if they are current on payments
47% of college graduates report feeling financially anxious
55% of women are more likely than men to avoid discussing their finances
37% of Americans say they feel overwhelmed by financial choices
54% of Americans believe the government should do more to help improve financial wellness
52% of Americans report anxiety over debt
66% of Americans with student loans say their debt impacts their mental health
43% of Americans have missed a financial deadline, such as a bill or loan payment, in the past year
59% of workers say financial stress has affected their productivity at work

Financial Stress and Confidence Interpretation

With over half of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and nearly three-quarters experiencing financial worry, it’s clear that despite widespread concern, financial confidence remains elusive, turning money matters into a national stress test that affects everything from healthcare to mental health and workplace productivity.

Savings and Retirement Planning

35% of Americans have no retirement savings
58% of Americans say they are saving less for retirement compared to five years ago
55% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings for retirement
50% of Americans have no long-term financial plan
54% of Americans believe they are behind in saving for retirement
49% of Americans say they are not on track to meet their retirement goals
69% of Americans think they will need to work longer than planned to retire comfortably
40% of Americans believe they will not be able to retire comfortably

Savings and Retirement Planning Interpretation

With over a third of Americans having no retirement savings and nearly half feeling unprepared or behind schedule, it's clear that the nation’s financial future is more uncertain than a weather forecast—yet, without urgent action, many may be digging their financial graves with a spoon.