Amid ongoing economic pressures, only 14% of Indonesians feel highly financially secure. This is despite encouraging signs of progress in overall financial resilience, with the proportion of Indonesians demonstrating high financial resilience increasing from 30% in 2025 to 34% in 2026.
According to Sun Life’s latest Asia Financial Resilience Index 2026, rising living costs, financial responsibilities toward family members and preparedness for further increases in cost-of-living remain key challenges in building long-term financial security.
The survey findings also suggest that financial security is influenced not only by current economic conditions, but also by individuals’ ability to manage financial responsibilities and plan for the future.
For instance, a majority of respondents reported ongoing concerns about meeting their family’s financial needs, while many continue to experience financial stress on a regular basis. These findings underscore the critical role of long-term financial planning in helping individuals strengthen their financial resilience and better navigate future economic uncertainty.
Building financial resilience amid uncertainty
Despite ongoing economic challenges, Indonesians continue to take steps to strengthen their financial resilience.
The study found that 45% of respondents would be able to sustain their current lifestyle for more than six months without an income, while confidence in achieving long-term financial goals has increased to 68%. These findings suggest that more Indonesians are taking proactive measures to build a stronger and more sustainable financial foundation.
Nevertheless, cost-of-living pressures continue to influence how people manage their day-to-day finances. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they have relied on savings to meet their daily needs, while 26% reported reducing or postponing certain expenses. This highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing immediate financial demands with long-term financial preparedness.
From a business perspective, this trend is driving shifts in consumption patterns that require adjustments in sales strategies and demand management. It is also pushing businesses, particularly MSMEs and the retail sector, to become more adaptive in managing pricing, promotions and cash flow in order to maintain business sustainability amid weakening purchasing power.
The study also found that financial planning plays a critical role in strengthening financial confidence. Respondents with a long-term financial plan were more than three times as likely to feel confident about achieving their financial goals than those without a clear plan (86% versus 25%).
The findings reinforce the importance of practical financial habits, such as setting financial goals, building emergency savings and planning ahead, in supporting long-term financial security.
At the same time, the study revealed a clear pattern: individuals who are better prepared financially are generally more resilient in the face of uncertainty, with financial literacy emerging as a key differentiator.
While economic pressures continue to affect households across income levels, the ability to navigate these challenges increasingly depends on an individual’s financial knowledge, preparedness and planning.
Technology in financial planning
Sun Life’s study also highlighted the important role that financial literacy and sound planning play in fostering financial security.
For instance, individuals with higher levels of financial literacy reported financial confidence levels that were 53 points higher, and optimism about their financial future that was 47 points higher than those with lower levels of financial literacy.
In addition, 86% of respondents with a long-term financial plan said they were confident in achieving their financial goals, compared with only 25% of those without one.
Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in Indonesians’ financial lives. The study found that 68% of respondents used generative AI to access financial information and guidance, while 67% expect their use of the technology to increase over the next 12 months. However, financial literacy remains essential to ensuring that individuals can critically evaluate information and make informed financial decisions.
The Sun Life Asia study was conducted in partnership with Genpop in April 2026, and surveyed 1,000 Indonesians aged 18 and above nationwide.