Wealthier Americans are more worried about rising unemployment than any other income group, NY Fed finds, as fear of 'white-collar recession' grows

A man with his head in his hand leans over a desk with a box keeping his work posessions. (Credit: Getty Images)

• New labor data showing shrinking job opportunities and increased unemployment has perhaps stoked the fears of wealthier Americans more than their lower-income compatriots. The New York Federal Reserve’s August 2025 Survey of Consumer Expectations found Americans earning more than $100,000 more often believe unemployment will rise in the next year compared to those earning less. Increased pessimism may be a result of fears that white-collar jobs are being impacted by the rocky economic and political environment.

As emerging data about the labor market paints a bleak picture about the state of the economy, it is wealthier Americans who are the most concerned about rising unemployment rates.