British Adult Financial Confidence Rises to 85 Percent

Financial confidence among British adults rose to 85 percent in 2026, up from 79 percent in 2024, according to the annual Financial Confidence Index. The study, commissioned by Digital Moneybox Limited and conducted by OnePoll among over 4,000 adults, shows that 83 percent of respondents feel confident in their savings and 54 percent feel confident in retirement planning. However, fewer than half of the participants feel comfortable investing.

Regional trends varied across the United Kingdom. Southampton recorded the largest increase in confidence, reaching 69 percent to become the most financially confident city in the country. Conversely, Belfast experienced the sharpest decline, falling to 65 percent. The data also reveals a stark wealth gap, with confident individuals reporting an average net worth of £228,000, while those lacking confidence estimated an average of £74,000.

Despite the general upward trend, 46 percent of respondents identified the rising cost of living as a primary barrier to retirement planning. Brian Byrnes, director of personal finance for Moneybox, noted that while current confidence is improving, a significant gap persists between how people manage their money today and how they plan for their financial future.