DATA IN FOCUS

The Chart of the Week series offers data visualizations that help explain a changing world. This week’s graphic explores barriers to financial security, from our recent article “In pursuit of progress: Americans’ aspirations for economic mobility.”

FEATURED CHART

Affordability strains Americans’ aspirations

The rising cost of living is the defining challenge for Americans trying to achieve their aspirations, research from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility finds. The squeeze on household budgets is the most frequently cited barrier by survey respondents, outpacing other challenges such as debt and health issues, McKinsey’s Diana Ellsworth, JP Julien, and coauthors explain. The greatest strain on household budgets comes from essential expenses, with nearly nine out of ten citing the cost of groceries and food. Housing, transportation, and utilities are also major sources of financial pressure.

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Household wealth watch
Total wealth across all sectors globally reached $570 trillion in 2025, with households owning 95 percent of that wealth. McKinsey Senior Partner Shubham Singhal and coauthors explore the global balance sheet and the extent to which its recent expansion has been “in balance.”

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