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 definitive barometer of how confident, or stressed, people truly feel about their money today.

Through this index, we aim to provide clarity for savers and a wake-up call for 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 the emotional landscape of global finance.

Ireland enters 2026 at the bottom of the Money Confidence Index, ranking 11th out of 11 markets with a score of 41.09. The national mood has been significantly dampened by the 'essentials trap', with 35.7% of Irish households focused solely on meeting the rising costs of housing and energy. This report explores the unique challenges facing Irish savers, nearly a third of whom now feel they have little to no control over their financial destiny.

The Netherlands leads the way (55.28), suggesting a resilient population that feels largely in control of their destiny. While Germany (49.69) and Spain (48.20) hold positions in the top three, the UK (43.33) and France (43.73) languish in the bottom tier, struggling to shake off the inertia caused by economic uncertainty.

Behind every ranking is a human story of stress. In Spain, financial anxiety is at its most widespread, 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%) are 'Very Stressed', stating they worry about money 'all the time' - 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 is 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 sense 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% of citizens 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 for many, 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.

If confidence is the goal, the levers to reach it are becoming increasingly basic. We have moved from a culture of 'Growing Wealth' to one of 'Crisis Management'.

• The Essentials Trap: For France (46.3%), the UK (39.4%), and Ireland (35.7%), the primary priority is covering everyday essentials. These markets show a high demand for lower housing and energy costs to restore their confidence.
• The Debt Shadow: Much like the USA (23.5%), Finland (21.3%) is heavily focused on liabilities, ranking debt clearance as their primary financial goal.
• The Buffer Seekers: Germany remains focused on the '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%). Despite their current struggles, Poland is the most optimistic market, with 33.8% believing their situation will improve next year - significantly higher 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. Confidence is built on earnings and the security of knowing you can plan for tomorrow. As we move through 2026, Raisin will continue to provide the transparency and the tools needed to help savers across all 11 markets move from a state of stress to a state of security.

Open a free Raisin account to start comparing savings accounts from over 30 trusted European banks. All partner banks are covered by their national deposit guarantee scheme, protecting your funds up to €100,000 per person, per bank.

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 espondent 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.