Research Shows Young People Are More Stressed About Money Than Climate Change

Over a quarter (26%) of young people say financial instability is one of the main causes of stress in their life, according to figures released by Gen Z financial literacy platform Prograd*, who surveyed over 1,200 UK respondents between the ages of 18-35.

When asked what the main causes of stress and anxiety in their lives are, a quarter (26%) said financial instability, 19% said their careers and only 4% said climate change and other social issues.

When asked about how much of an impact finances have on their mental wellbeing, 61% said a lot, 28% said a bit, and only 4% said none at all.

As young people become more open about their wellbeing, it’s important to recognise the primary factors causing stress and anxiety for young people, in order to better understand and support them.

When it comes to assessing men and women, it seems that women are worrying more when it comes to money.

93% of young women say financial instability is the main cause of stress and anxiety in their lives, compared with 86% of young men.

Women also worry more about work, with a respective 45% of women admitting work is a driver of stress in their life, compared with 35% of men.

Interestingly, these rank much higher than issues like body image (>1%), family (1%) and social media (25%), showing that staying financially afloat is more important than anything else for young people in Britain today.

Delving deeper into the nation’s savings reveals that financial instability is not just a cause of stress, but a reality that a lot of young people are living with today.

When asked about how much money they have saved in the bank, nearly half of young people surveyed have £0. Even more worrying is that the figures indicate that a massive 76% of Brits between the ages of 18-35 have less than £1,000 in savings.

This isn’t even enough to cover a month of expenses, leaving many young people financially vulnerable.

Adnaan Osman, 19 from Guildford commented: “As a young person facing the realities of financial instability, I know that many of us, including myself, don’t really discuss our financial struggles with friends because we think it’s taboo. But really, the first step is recognising that financial stress significantly impacts our mental health. We need open conversations, supportive communities, and accessible resources to navigate these challenges. Let’s embrace Stress Awareness Week by encouraging more young people to share their financial concerns, developing understanding, and empowering each other to build a brighter, financially secure future.”

Ethan Fraenkel, Founder at Financial Literacy Company Prograd Commented “I’ve witnessed first hand the impact that financial instability has on the lives of young people today. With the cost of living continuing to rise, it’s no wonder so many young people in the UK feel stressed about their finances.

“This Stress Awareness Week, let’s remember that addressing financial well-being is not just about money; it’s about nurturing mental health and overall quality of life. Together, we must change the narrative, destigmatise financial conversations, and provide the tools young people need to thrive in a challenging world.”