Research Report Financial Distress among American Families: Evidence from the Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey
Steven Brown, Breno Braga
Display Date
File
File
Download Report
(327.31 KB)

Concern is growing among some analysts that recent economic growth in the US has not translated to economic well-being across the board. This study focuses on the share of Americans in financial distress in 2017, a year of relatively low unemployment. We find that a third of moderate-income adults experience financial insecurity in the past 12 months. In addition, one in eight of them say they must turn to high interest rate payday loans, auto title loans, or pawn shops to tide them over.

Research and Evidence Family and Financial Well-Being Tax and Income Supports
Expertise Families Social Safety Net Wealth and Financial Well-Being
Tags Families with low incomes Asset and debts From Safety Net to Solid Ground