Share of Adults With Very Low Financial Literacy Rises to 25 Percent as Gen Z Scores Drop to 38 Percent
New 2026 data shows the share of U.S. adults with very low financial literacy has climbed from 20 percent in 2017 to 25 percent, with Gen Z averaging only 38 percent correct answers on financial literacy assessments. The Treasury Department is pushing Trump Accounts as a practical tool to build financial skills.
The share of U.S. adults classified as having very low financial literacy has risen from 20 percent in 2017 to 25 percent in 2026, according to data cited by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries in June 2026.
Gen Z is struggling the most. Young adults in the generation correctly answered only 38 percent of questions on recent financial literacy assessments, a figure that experts say reflects gaps in both formal education and practical money experience.
The National Endowment for Financial Education and other advocacy groups have pushed for financial literacy to be treated as an essential K-12 subject. Thirty states now require financial literacy courses for high school graduation, but the quality and depth of those courses varies widely.
The U.S. Treasury Department, through the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, has made the rollout of Trump Accounts a central focus of its 2026 financial education agenda. These tax-advantaged investment accounts are designed for U.S. citizens under age 18 and are intended to give young people hands-on experience with investing, compound growth, and long-term financial planning.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged federal agencies in February 2026 to integrate Trump Accounts into existing financial education frameworks. The accounts launched in July 2026.
The FLEC is also updating the U.S. National Strategy for Financial Literacy, with a public comment period that closed in April 2026. The updated strategy is expected to emphasize measurable outcomes and nationally normed assessments rather than just content delivery.
Researchers at the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and the National Association of State Treasurers have launched a new consortium to study public understanding of 529 education savings plans and broader financial decision-making patterns.
