Generation Z Remains Optimistic About Future Finances

A new survey from Bankrate shows that Generation Z is optimistic about their financial situation in the coming year. 

According to the December Financial Security Index, 51% of Gen Zers said they believe their financial situation will improve next year.  

However, these numbers decreased with each successive generation, with 42% of Millennials, 32% of Generation X, 23% of young Baby Boomers, 18% of older Baby Boomers, and 14% of the Silent Generation feeling the same way.

The main reason Gen Zers and Millennials are relatively hopeful about their future finances is that many are making more money at their jobs, while having less debt. 

However, 79% of Boomers, 73% of Gen Xers, and 53% of Millennials cited growing inflation as a reason for their pessimism about their personal finances in the future.  

“Inflation worries have dragged consumer confidence to a decade low and is the top reason Americans don’t expect their finances to improve, and particularly to get worse,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “This feeling goes far beyond gas prices, as inflation has broadened out and consumers see higher prices at every turn.”