Americans are under intense financial stress as household debt reaches $18.8T
Americans are experiencing significant financial stress as household debt reaches $18.8 trillion. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling reports that financial stress levels remain elevated, with a forecast indicating a slight increase in stress by the end of the quarter. Despite some signs of stabilization in the economy, many consumers are still heavily reliant on debt to manage everyday expenses.
- ▪Household debt in the U.S. has reached $18.8 trillion, reflecting a 0.1% increase.
- ▪The National Foundation for Credit Counseling's Financial Stress Forecast indicates a financial stress level of 6.6, expected to rise to 6.7.
- ▪Only 63% of Americans can cover a $400 emergency expense using cash or its equivalent, unchanged from recent years.
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Business Americans are under intense financial stress as household debt reaches $18.8T By Ariel Zilber Published May 25, 2026, 12:55 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Americans remain under intense financial pressure, a recently released forecast found — even as some official banking data suggests the economy is stabilizing. On a scale of one to 10, Americans’ financial stress was 6.6 for first quarter of the year, according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
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