Financial Stress Shadows 73% Americans, Citing Tariffs and Inflation As Root Causes

The burden of financial strain is seemingly ever-present for most Americans amidst economic turmoil. A whopping 73% of respondents claim to be suffering “financially stressed”, based on recent surveys with a significant 66% ascribing this stress to tariff worries.

Economic Apprehensions Cast A Dark Cloud Over The Nation

Polls conducted by SurveyMonkey from 2023 through to 2025 reveal a consistent truth. More than 70% of Americans persistently express stress concerning their personal finances. In the latest survey:

• A notable 38% shared they are “very stressed. “
• High-earning respondents (those earning $100,000 or more) show similar results, with29% admitting to high stress levels.

Contributing to their stress are several factors inclusive of persistent inflation, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, and disruptions in supply chain. The ever-increasing cost of basics — food, energy and shelter — only adds fuel to fire.

Principal Sources of Financial Stress in 2025

Key extracts from the latest survey reveal:

• Inflation is cause for worry as cited by a shocking 86% of respondents.
• Interest rates come in second with 75% airing their concerns.
• A total of 66% of Americans place the blame on tariffs for their escalating financial stress.

Although inflation has seen a substantial reduction from its apex at 8% in 2022, settling at 2.4% now in March 2025, the lingering effects are far from forgiving. Americans wrestle with a plummeting purchasing power, making affordability for the same goods and services a struggle.

Financial Uncertainty Plagues Middle-Income Americans

DULUTH, Ga. , April 10, 2025 (BUSINESS WIRE)— The Q1 2025 Financial Security Monitor™ (FSM™) by Primerica paints a concerning picture for middle-income Americans.

A rise in financial stress levels have been observed, with 62% now up from 57% at the close of 2024. A startling 46% of respondents see a bleak financial future, expecting to be worse off in the upcoming year, nearly doubling the 27% from only one quarter ago.

“Middle-income Americans persist in their battlefield of significant financial stress, without foreseeable relief in the near horizon,” stated Glenn J. Williams, CEO of Primerica. “The importance of constructing a clear financial plan has never been more crucial to aide families in traversing the unknowable future. ”

Primerica’s FSM™ Q1 2025 Key Insights

• An alarming half (46%) anticipate a downward trend in their financial status in the following year.
• A mere 18% hold optimistic views regarding their financial state advancing — a slide from 26% in the former quarter.
• A vast 78% are making cuts in non-essential expenses, such as dining out and entertainment — the peak value in two years.
• A total of 64% state they are on a journey to construct emergency funds, a slight climb from 59% the last quarter.
• Just over half, 52%, are either musing on or have plunged into a second job, with 55% mulling over a job switch.

A Glimmer of Relief via Tax Refunds

A tiny silver sliver peeks through. An expected 53% of Americans anticipate a tax refund in 2024. Of these:

• A sensible 38% will channel the refund to their savings.
• Around 32% will utilize it to lessen their debt.
• Close behind at 30%, will employ the refund to settle standing bills.

Against mounting financial pressure, Americans evolve strategies, shifting priorities, and steeling themselves for the looming uncertainty in the days to come.