Americans Report Rising Prosperity Despite Economic Unease, Northwestern Mutual Study Finds
A new study by Northwestern Mutual reveals that Americans are experiencing a growing sense of personal prosperity, even as confidence in the broader economy and political landscape declines. The inaugural Personal Prosperity Index, developed with Ipsos, assigned an average score of 68 out of 100, with 73% of respondents reporting feelings of prosperity. The research indicates that individuals are decoupling their personal well-being from macroeconomic concerns, prioritizing factors such as household finances, relationships, and physical and mental health over national economic indicators or investment market performance. Notably, those who engaged in professional financial planning reported significantly higher prosperity scores, averaging 74 compared to 66 for those without advisors. The study highlights that intentional actions regarding health, social connections, and financial management empower individuals to influence their own prosperity. Conducted among 2,545 US adults in March 2026, the findings suggest that while external economic conditions may cause unease, personal autonomy over lifestyle and financial habits remains a strong driver of perceived well-being. Northwestern Mutual plans to release this index biannually to track these trends.
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Americans Report Rising Prosperity Despite Economic Unease, Northwestern Mutual Study Finds
A new study by Northwestern Mutual reveals that Americans are experiencing a growing sense of personal prosperity, even as confidence in the broader economy and political landscape declines. The inaugural Personal Prosperity Index, developed with Ipsos, assigned an average score of 68 out of 100, with 73% of respondents reporting feelings of prosperity. The research indicates that individuals are decoupling their personal well-being from macroeconomic concerns, prioritizing factors such as household finances, relationships, and physical and mental health over national economic indicators or investment market performance. Notably, those who engaged in professional financial planning reported significantly higher prosperity scores, averaging 74 compared to 66 for those without advisors. The study highlights that intentional actions regarding health, social connections, and financial management empower individuals to influence their own prosperity. Conducted among 2,545 US adults in March 2026, the findings suggest that while external economic conditions may cause unease, personal autonomy over lifestyle and financial habits remains a strong driver of perceived well-being. Northwestern Mutual plans to release this index biannually to track these trends.
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