69% Of Americans Say Financial Uncertainty Has Made Them Feel Depressed & Anxious

About 69% of American adults surveyed said they felt depressed and anxious at least a few times a year due to financial uncertainty, up from 61% in 2023, according to responses from the Northwestern Mutual 2025 Planning & Progress Study. About 27% said financial uncertainty affected their mood weekly, daily, or hourly, up from 24% affected at least weekly in 2023. In 2025, about 31% said their mood was never affected by financial uncertainty.

Generational cohorts reported different frequencies of depression or anxiety due to financial uncertainty, according to the survey results, as follows:

Among “Gen Z,” 39% reported being . . .