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Only 15% of Americans Surveyed Say Capitalism Is Working as It Should, According to Operation HOPE's Latest HOPE Insider Survey

Business Wire

Despite concerns about economic opportunity, 87% of respondents are hopeful about their financial futures, with optimism reaching a record high

ATLANTA, October 19, 2026--Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low- and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy, today released findings from its third quarter 2026 HOPE Insider survey, revealing that while Americans remain hopeful about their ability to build wealth, many believe the current economic system favors those who are already financially secure. The quarterly nationwide survey of more than 1,500 Operation HOPE clients also found signs of improving financial stability and record optimism about the future, underscoring the importance of financial education in helping individuals overcome barriers to economic opportunity.

Key Third Quarter 2026 Findings:

1. Capitalism still works, but needs some changes

  • Only 15% of respondents believe capitalism is working as intended for hardworking Americans

  • Approximately one-third say the system works but disproportionately benefits those who already have money, while another third believe it is broken and needs to be fixed

  • 40% believe someone starting with very little can still build real wealth in today's economy, while 41% say doing so is much harder than it used to be

  • Another 15% believe wealth-building largely depends on having the right connections or luck

2. Fewer respondents are living paycheck to paycheck, and more report financial progress

  • The percentage of respondents living paycheck to paycheck declined to 69%, down from 76% in the previous quarter

  • 36% reported being better off financially than they were a year ago, up from 29% in the previous quarter

  • However, half of respondents said their personal debt levels had increased over the past three months

3. Nearly half of respondents have recently used Buy Now, Pay Later services

  • 46% reported using a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service, such as Affirm, Afterpay or Klarna, in the past three months, consistent with findings from a year ago

  • The percentage considering using BNPL services in the next three months declined to 40%, down from 46% a year ago

  • Among BNPL users, 51% reported reserving these services for larger purchases, such as replacing an appliance

  • Concerns about the potential impact on credit scores declined from 47% to 40% year over year, although a significant share of respondents remain wary of the financial implications

4. Housing affordability remains a major concern, but optimism about homeownership is improving

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