Croix, March 16, 2026
For the Financial Literacy Week, Oney, a major player in consumer financing in Europe, and Crésus, a leading association in the fight against overindebtedness, co‑publish an exclusive study, “Gen Z: The Generation That Counts”, conducted by CSA Research.
As the first generation to grow up with instant payments, neobanks, and budgeting apps in their pockets, Gen Z seems better equipped than any before it. 77% believe they have the necessary knowledge to manage their budgets and finances. And yet, the reality suggests the opposite: between fear of running out of money and major gaps in financial literacy, this hyperconnected generation is paradoxically navigating in the dark.
10 key figures on Gen Z and how they manage their spending
87% consider day‑to‑day budget management important
44% describe their financial situation as just adequate or insufficient
72% feel daily stress because of their budget
79% believe they manage their monthly spending well
64% have already had to prioritize a fixed expense over essential variable expenses (e.g., groceries)
65% fear not having enough money to cover essential spending
23% feel they do not have the necessary knowledge to manage their finances properly
58% use credit or installment payments
27% cite AI as a source of budgeting information
35% have already been unable to pay their debts
Source: “Gen Z, the Generation That Counts” – Oney x Crésus x CSA – March 2026
GEN Z: MORE A SPENDER THAN A KEEPER
Money is a major issue for young people. Today, 87% of them say that day‑to‑day budget management matters. But behind this appearance of control lies a generation stressed about managing its budget (72%). Housing (47%) and food (47%) take up most of their income — nearly one in two young people aged 18–29 cite these as their main expenses, leaving little room to absorb unexpected costs. As a result, 64% have already had to choose between paying a fixed bill (rent, utilities…) and covering an essential variable expense like buying food. A choice that should never have to be made.
This fragility is all the more concerning as it worsens for 19% of them. While 74% save money, it is often irregularly and in small amounts — more precautionary than project‑oriented. And one third admit not knowing how much they spend each month. Not due to lack of interest (94% consider money important), but because of a lack of control.
This is the core issue: Gen Z is the first generation not to suffer from a lack of access to financial information, but from a lack of structure to understand and manage it. More than 1 in 3 (35%) say they have already been unable to pay their debts.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES: BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO BETTER ACT
65% of Gen Z fear running out of money — an anxiety that affects women (71%), students, and low‑income households more severely, revealing inequalities that arise well before entering the workforce. This mental load associated with financial management leads young people to seek solutions to make ends meet.
This is why installment payments have become fully integrated into their budgeting practices: 47% have used them in the past 12 months. Seen as a tool for financial flexibility (78% find it useful, 71% say it helps manage their budget), it allows a generation with limited purchasing power to manage expenses without giving up their projects. Still, responsible use requires understanding how it works.
More than one in three young people struggle to talk about financial difficulties with loved ones. AI is emerging as a new source of financial information, used by 27%, ahead of influencers and banking advisors. This trend reflects the generation’s desire for accessible, personalized answers and highlights the need for reliable, educational content.
To strengthen financial education, young people primarily want:
- financial and budgeting classes at school (35%),
- more powerful banking apps (34%),
- more dedicated content on social media (29%).
Oney, together with Crésus, clearly affirms its ambition: to make financial education a concrete lever for empowerment for Gen Z.
Oney, aux côtés de Crésus, affirme une ambition claire : faire de l’éducation financière un levier concret d’autonomie pour la Gen Z.
« Financial education must not be limited to learning how tools work. It must integrate the psychological dimension, help young people anticipate shocks, manage money‑related stress, and build financial resilience. This is a major issue for future well‑being. This is exactly what we have been promoting alongside Oney for 13 years. »
« Gen Z demonstrates a real desire to master their spending and excels in the digital management of their budget, integrating AI as a decision‑making aid. Yet this mastery remains fragile when faced with life’s uncertainties. This is why, at Oney, we believe financial education must include knowledge of credit and payment mechanisms: our ambition is to support every customer in transforming this sense of control into genuine financial peace of mind. »
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Methodology
Study conducted by CSA Research for Oney and Crésus with a nationally representative sample of 1,011 French people aged 18–29. Online interviews carried out from March 2 to March 6, 2026. Representativeness ensured by quota sampling based on gender, age, socio‑professional category, region, and urban area.
About Oney
Oney is a different, unique bank born from retail. A partner in retail transformation for over 40 years, Oney designs payment solutions, consumer financing, insurance, and fraud prevention solutions. Creator of installment payment in 2008, Oney is the BNPL leader in France. A strategic ally for more than 37,000 merchants, Oney supports the purchases and projects of 8.6 million customers in Europe, offering simple, fast, and digital shopping experiences. Every day, 1,900 employees in 10 countries bring to life the ambition of being a more human and responsible bank, a major player in consumer finance in retail.
Supported by its two shareholders, BPCE (50.1%) and ELO (formerly Auchan Holding, 49.9%), Oney brings together the best of banking and retail. Within the BPCE Group, Oney operates under BPCE Digital & Payments, which brings together payment, digital, and data expertise.
More informations : www.oney.com Follow Oney news : LinkedIn
About Crésus
Crésus is a public‑interest association supporting people facing financial difficulties, with a mission to prevent overindebtedness. As an active contributor to the national financial education strategy, the association develops innovations and educational budgeting programs to encourage open conversations about money and to train responsible citizens equipped with the tools and knowledge needed for financial autonomy.
Press contact
ONEY – Burson Agency – Dounia TIDJINI – dounia.tidjini@bursonglobal.com – 06 29 76 07 59