Nearly three in ten Britons don’t do any financial planning

Financial planning can play a vital role in helping Britons build long-term security.

However, new YouGov research reveals that nearly three in ten members of the public simply aren’t doing it (28%).

Are Britons planning ahead financially?

The majority of Britons (28%) say they are not planning ahead financially.

Of the rest, a fifth plan less than one year ahead (21%) and the same proportion plan 1-3 years ahead (21%). Some 12% plan 3-5 years ahead, but only a quarter (25%) plan more than five years ahead.

Why? We asked.

Our data shows that nearly three in five (57%) say they lack the funds needed to plan for their financial futures, while a quarter (24%) say they do not have the knowledge or understanding needed to plan effectively.

In any case, those who have started planning are more likely to feel they left it too late rather than too early (45% vs. 3%), with half (52%) saying they started at about the right time. A third (35%) would go as far as saying they are off-track from achieving their financial goals, while three in ten say they feel confused about how to plan for them (30%).

Emergency funds and retirement planning are the most common financial goals

So, what financial goals do Britons actually have?

The most commonly selected option was building an emergency fund, which was selected by 35% of respondents. Nearly as many cited retirement planning (33%), with investing/growing wealth coming in third (27%).

Another 25% want to support their families, and 21% say they want to pay off debt. Major purchases (16%) and buying a home (16%) follow, with 15% saying they want to pass on wealth or inheritance. Some 16% go as far as saying they have no financial goals whatsoever. 

Methodology

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 3-8 July 2026, with a nationally representative sample of 2,294 adults (aged 16+ years) in Great Britain, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, region and social grade to be representative of all adults in Great Britain (16 years or older) and reflect the latest ONS population estimates.