An American Institute of CPAs survey has found that women say they were more concerned about their financial situation over the past 12 months than men. The survey was conducted April 1-3 among over 2,000 U.S. adults as a kickoff to National Financial Literacy Month.
Regarding their financial situation over the past 12 months, women chose negative feelings more so than men. According to the survey, women felt:
- Cautious 40% versus 30% for men
- Uncertain 39% versus 32% for men
- Stressed 41% versus 30% for men
- Worried 38% versus 31% for men
- Anxious 36% versus 30% for men
- Frustrated 34% versus 26% for men, and
- Hopeless 17% versus 13% for men
Men, on the other hand, felt more positive about their financial situation over the past 12 months: optimistic (30% versus 25%), positive (32% versus 21%) and content (22% versus 17%). Men also had a more positive outlook on their financial situation over the next 12 months (39% thought it would be better than the previous 12 months, compared to 27% of women).
“The responses reveal some stark differences between men and women. Clearly, the financial stress levels are not the same,” says Pam Ladd, CPA/PFS, AICPA Senior Manager, Personal Financial Planning. “Addressing uncertainty allows women and their financial advisors to strategize around building confidence and financial well-being.”
More Men are Taking Steps
Although women displayed more negative feelings about their financial situation in the past 12 months, men reported taking action on their finances at higher levels. Men, more so than women, started or added to an emergency fund in the past 12 months (23% versus 17%). Men were more likely than women to have started or increased funding to a retirement account in the last 12 months (17% versus 12%).
Men ages 18-34 were more likely to have postponed higher education due to financial reasons in the last 12 months than women in that age bracket (31% versus 19%).
Consumers can find financial literacy resources from the AICPA here.
Survey Method:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of AICPA from April 1-3, 2025, among 2,081 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
Read more about the survey findings here.
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Tags: Financial Planning
