Over a third of U.S. adults admit sleeping hungry due to financial strain
A recent poll of more than 2,000 Americans reveals that 37% have gone to bed hungry because they lack money, and over half have cried over financial worries.
Researchers surveyed a national sample of more than 2,000 adults for a report called The Secret Financial Lives of Americans. The data show that 52% of participants have cried because they could not afford basic needs, and this emotional distress is not limited to low earners; 41% of respondents making over $200,000 a year reported similar feelings. Additionally, 37% said they have gone to sleep hungry due to a lack of money, while 12% confessed to having stolen at some point.
The study highlights that financial pressure is widespread and often concealed behind social media portrayals of prosperity. It underscores a broader economic challenge affecting a diverse cross-section of the population.
Why it matters
The survey exposes hidden financial hardship affecting many Americans, informing policymakers and aid groups.
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