A third of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings: Report

  • 2024 and 2023 saw a higher percentage, at 36% each year
  • Inflation was on the rise in January
  • 73% of Americans are saving less due to rising prices

In this June 15, 2018, file photo, cash is fanned out from a wallet in North Andover, Mass.

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(NewsNation) — A new survey from Bankrate has revealed 33% of adults in the United States have more credit card debt than emergency savings, down from 36% in 2024 and 2023.

Bankrate’s 2025 Emergency Savings Report found this year’s percentage is still higher than in 2022, when 22% of Americans had more credit card debt than emergency savings.

When broken down into age groups, millennials are most likely to have more debt than savings, with 42% falling into that category. Despite this, nearly three in four Americans (or 73%) are saving less money for emergency situations due to rising prices.

“The cost of living continues to rise, prompting more individuals and households to turn to credit cards when in a bind,” said Mark Hamrick, Bankrate’s senior economic analyst.

In January, the consumer price index increased 3% from a year ago, according to data from the Labor Department.

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