The Raisin Money Confidence Index 2026

The world has faced a relentless period of economic volatility. From fluctuating interest rates to the persistent pressure of the cost of living, households across Europe and the US are navigating a 'new normal'. This report is our attempt to take the financial temperature of 11 key markets, creating a barometer of how confident, or stressed, people feel about their money today.

Through this index, we aim to provide clarity for savers and policymakers. At Raisin, our mission remains unchanged: to empower every individual to build a more secure, confident financial future.

Financial confidence is not distributed equally. The Money Confidence Index (MCI), scored out of 100, reveals a stark divide in how residents of different nations feel about their finances.

The UK sits in the bottom tier of the 2026 Money Confidence Index, ranking 10th out of 11 markets with a score of 43.33. This low ranking is primarily driven by a significant 'control gap', with only 28.6% of Britons feeling they have a high level of agency over their daily finances. As the 'sandwich generation' (those aged 35-49) reports stress levels of over 60%, the UK report highlights a nation struggling with the weight of essential costs and a perceived inability to plan for the long term.

The Netherlands leads the way (55.28) when it comes to confidence, suggesting a resilient population that feels largely in control of their destiny. In contrast, Ireland sits at the bottom of the index (41.09), with the combined weight of housing costs and inflation significantly dampening the national outlook. Germany (49.69) and Spain (48.20) hold positions in the top three, while France (43.73) languishes in the bottom tier, struggling to shake off the inertia caused by economic uncertainty.

Behind every ranking is a human story of stress. Financial anxiety is widespread in Spain, with 60% of the population reporting they are 'Very' or 'Quite' stressed. However, the USA reports the highest intensity of worry. Over a quarter of Americans (26.9%) feel 'Very Stressed', stating they worry about money 'all the time'. This is more than triple the rate of the 'Relaxed' Netherlands (8.1%).

A recurring 'Anxiety Gap' also appears across the index. In Italy, 57.2% of women feel stressed compared to 44% of men, a trend mirrored in Germany (54.8% vs 42.7%) and Finland, where the gap is even wider (63.5% vs 44.9%). Age is another driver of stress; in the UK, 60.3% of those aged 35-49 - the 'sandwich generation' - are feeling the squeeze, while in Austria, it's the younger generation (18-34) who feel the most pressure (52.2%).

Confidence is built on a sense of agency. The Netherlands (59.4%), Germany (54.6%), and Austria (53.7%) lead the way in financial autonomy. This feeling of control is particularly strong among older Germans (50-69), where 62% feel firmly in the driver’s seat. Poland also shows resilient internal management, with 48.9% reporting high levels of control.

This stands in sharp contrast to the UK, Ireland, and France, where nearly a third of respondents feel they have 'little to no control'. In the UK, only 28.6% of people feel highly empowered, suggesting that finances are something that happens to them rather than something they manage. The USA presents a fractured 'Confidence Divide', where 12.5% feel complete control while 33.5% feel they have none at all.

Proirities differ from country to country, sometimes due to the unique economic circumstances of each nation. There is a clear pattern of people prioritising management over growing their wealth, however.

• The Essentials Trap: The primary priority for France (46.3%), the UK (39.4%), and Ireland (35.7%) is covering everyday essentials. These markets show a high demand for lower housing and energy costs to restore their confidence.
• The Debt Shadow: The USA (23.5%) and Finland (21.3%) are heavily focused on liabilities, ranking debt clearance as their primary financial goal.
• The Buffer Seekers: Germany remains focused on creating and maintaining an 'Emergency Buffer', with 70% of citizens ranking a safety net in their top three priorities. Similarly, Spain shows a growing interest in long-term savings (20.7%).
• The Income Drivers: In Poland, a pay rise is the runaway priority (25.6%). Poland is the most optimistic market, with 33.8% believing their situation will improve next year - a significantly higher ratio than Italy (25.2%).

The 2026 Raisin Money Confidence Index shows a world in flux. From 'Dutch Calm" to 'American Anxiety', the data reveals that financial confidence is as much about psychological security as it is about income.

Whether it is clearing debt in the USA and Finland, building a buffer in Germany, or fighting the 'Essentials Trap' in the UK and France, the path to confidence requires better tools and clearer guidance. While earnings help build confidence, the security of knowing you can plan for tomorrow is equally important. As we move through 2026 and beyond, Raisin will continue to provide the transparency and the tools needed to help savers across all 11 markets navigate their financial goals with greater confidence.

Overview: The Raisin Money Confidence Index (MCI) is a comprehensive barometer of consumer sentiment regarding personal finance. The 2026 index was conducted to understand the emotional and practical drivers of financial stability across 11 major global markets.

Data Collection: The survey was commissioned by Raisin and conducted by independent market research institute INNOFACT AG. The data was collected via a representative online survey across the following 11 countries:

• Europe: Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, France, Poland, Austria, Ireland, Finland.
• North America: USA.

Sample Size: The index is based on the responses of 11,403 participants. To ensure the data is representative of the general population in each market, the sample was weighted by age and gender within each specific country.

Calculating the Index: The Money Confidence Index (MCI) is scored on a scale of 0 to 100, where a higher score indicates greater financial confidence and lower perceived stress. The score for each country is an aggregate index derived from five key pillars of financial wellbeing:

1. Stress Levels: Perceived emotional pressure regarding personal finances.
2. Current Control: The level of autonomy a respondent feels they have over day-to-day spending.
3. Future Outlook: Expectations of whether their financial situation will improve or worsen over the next 12 months.
4. Financial Resilience: The ability to handle an unexpected expense or "emergency shock".
5. Planning Capability: The degree to which respondents feel they can successfully plan for long-term financial goals.

The final index ranking is calculated by normalising the responses to these pillars and calculating a mean score, allowing for a direct comparison between diverse global economies.

With Raisin UK, you can explore and compare a range of competitive savings accounts from over 40 partner banks in one place. Whether you're looking for fixed rate returns or easy access to your funds, Raisin helps you manage your savings simply. Eligible deposits are protected up to £120,000 per person, per bank by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).