Global financial wellbeing report 2025

Financial confidence is falling. What can employers do?

Economic uncertainty is changing how people feel about their money.

nudge's Global financial wellbeing report 2025, our largest global research study to date, explores how people across 17 countries are responding to financial volatility; from changing spending and saving behaviors to the role financial literacy plays in confidence, decision-making and health.

For U.S. HR, Total Rewards and Benefits leaders, the findings highlight an important opportunity. Employers can't control inflation or economic uncertainty, but they can help employees build the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions when circumstances change.‍

Explore the 2025 global financial wellbeing research.

Financial optimism has fallen sharply

Across the world, employees are navigating continued financial pressure.

Our 2025 global research found that just 29% of people feel hopeful about their financial situation, down from 60% in 2024.

Inflation remains a major concern, cited by 56% of people globally. Housing affordability is a concern for 30%.

For employers in the U.S. and across North America, the picture is even more pronounced. 63% of people in North America are concerned about inflation, while 38% are concerned about housing affordability.

Those pressures are changing financial behavior too. 44% of people have cut back on non-essential spending, while others are reducing essential spending or cutting back on savings for emergencies and retirement.

Financial uncertainty isn't simply changing what people spend. It can affect how they feel, the decisions they make and how prepared they are for what comes next.

Financial literacy can help people navigate change

The research points to financial literacy as an important part of stronger financial health.

People with strong financial literacy were more than five times as likely to feel confident navigating financial changes, at 28% compared with 5% among those with weaker financial literacy.

Stronger literacy was also associated with different financial behaviors. People with higher financial literacy were more likely to avoid risky investments, recognize overconfidence and avoid relying too heavily on the first piece of financial information they received.

The research also found connections beyond people's finances. Those actively improving their financial literacy were more likely to rate their physical, mental, and social health as excellent.

Financial literacy alone can't remove financial pressure. But it can give people stronger foundations for understanding their options, making informed decisions and responding when their circumstances change.

What does this mean for employers?

Employers can't control the economic environment employees are navigating.

But they can influence whether people have access to trusted, impartial financial education that helps them understand their finances, navigate workplace benefits, and make informed decisions.

For U.S. Benefits and Total Rewards leaders, that matters for another reason. Employers may already offer retirement plans, health benefits, savings programs, and other valuable support. Employees still need to understand how those benefits fit into their wider financial lives and when to use them.

That's where financial education can help turn what's available into something employees can understand and act on.

Rather than simply providing more information, employers have an opportunity to make financial education personal, timely, and relevant to the individual.

What the 2025 research tells us

The global financial wellbeing report 2025 explores the financial pressures, behaviors, and attitudes shaping people's lives across 17 countries.

Among the findings:

• Hope has fallen: 29% of people feel hopeful about their financial situation, down from 60% in 2024.
• Inflation remains a major concern: 56% globally are concerned about inflation, rising to 63% in North America.
• Housing affordability is adding pressure: 30% globally cite it as a concern, compared with 38% in North America.
• People are changing how they spend: 44% have cut non-essential spending, with others cutting essential spending and reducing savings.
• Financial literacy is linked to confidence: people with strong financial literacy are more than five times as likely to feel confident navigating financial change.
• Money affects more than finances: the research identifies connections between financial literacy, financial behaviors and people's physical, mental, and social health.

Together, the findings point to a bigger challenge than financial knowledge alone.

People need the confidence and skills to apply what they know to real decisions; particularly when economic conditions, benefits, or their own lives change.

From financial literacy to stronger financial health

Financial health isn't simply about knowing more about money.

It's about being able to understand where you stand, make informed decisions, and take action; from managing everyday finances and building savings to navigating workplace benefits and preparing for retirement.

Financial literacy provides an important foundation. Personalized financial education can help people apply that knowledge to their own circumstances, goals, and life moments.

For employers, that creates an opportunity to move beyond simply offering benefits and information; helping employees understand what they have, why it matters and what they can do next.

Explore the 2025 global financial wellbeing report and discover what the findings mean for the financial health of your workforce.