Survey: Americans’ financial optimism edges higher, but worries remain

A recent survey has found that Americans feel slightly better about their financial situation heading into the next 12 months than they did one year ago.

The Harris Poll of 2,091 American adults, conducted in March, found that 36% feel much or somewhat better about their financial situation for the next 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, up from 33% in last year’s survey.

Thirty-seven percent felt neither better nor worse (the same as 2025), while 27% felt much or somewhat worse (down 3 percentage points from 2025).

More than half (55%) said they had delayed at least one purchase or plan in the past year for financial reasons, down from 61% a year ago. See more findings.