Today’s volatile economy is exacting more than financial costs. It is eroding the nation’s emotional well-being. To understand the scope of the problem, AMFM Healthcare surveyed 725 adults across the United States in May 2025. The findings point to a population living on edge: nearly nine in ten Americans feel anxious about money, and the majority say that anxiety is getting worse as the year unfolds.
Financial Anxiety by the Numbers
- 87 percent of respondents agree they experience anxiety about their financial situation.
- 79 percent report that their financial anxiety has increased in 2025.
- 70 percent feel anxiety about their finances more than once a week.
“Behind every inflation statistic is a real person lying awake at night,” said Ted Guastello, CEO, AMFM Healthcare. “When almost eight in ten Americans tell us their financial anxiety has grown this year, economic stress becomes a public-health issue as much as a pocketbook issue.”
Where Economic Stress Hits Home
The survey highlights how money worries ripple through daily life:
- Sleep: 77 percent say economic stress has disrupted their rest in the past year.
- Relationships: 67 percent report strain with partners, family, or friends.
- Work: 59 percent acknowledge that stress has hurt their performance on the job.
Concerns about specific costs intensify the pressure. Roughly three-quarters of respondents say worries about housing, debt, healthcare bills, or retirement are harming their mental health. Alarmingly, 60 percent have delayed treatment because of cost.
“Financial distress rarely travels alone. It also drags fatigue, isolation, and hopelessness in its wake,” noted Ashley Pena, National Executive Director of Mission Connection at AMFM Healthcare. “Too many people avoid getting help because they fear the price, yet timely support can prevent small worries from becoming full-blown mental health crises.”
Six Ways to Safeguard Your Mental Health During Economic Turmoil
- Name it to tame it. Jot down money worries to separate facts (“rent is due”) from fears (“I’ll never catch up”).
- Pair budgeting with self-care. Include exercise, therapy co-pays, or even short breaks as legitimate line items.
- Set a news window. Check economic headlines once or twice daily instead of doom-scrolling.
- Use affordable resources. Community clinics, tele-therapy platforms, employer assistance programs, and nonprofit hotlines can reduce or waive fees.
- Practice micro-grounding. A sixty-second breathing exercise or a quick walk can interrupt anxiety loops.
- Stay connected. Share concerns with trusted friends, family, or support groups—social bonds buffer stress hormones.
Survey Methodology: The poll was conducted online among 725 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.
