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Young Americans see higher credit scores than pre-Covid levels
New research from FICO indicates that younger Americans are showing unexpected financial resilience. Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have seen their average credit scores rise by 17 points since 2019, marking the largest increase among all measured age groups.
Millennials, aged 30 to 44, recorded the second-largest increase in credit scores during this period. Experts suggest that the pause in student loan payments during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to these gains.
LendingTree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz notes that Gen Z is particularly savvy regarding credit, largely due to increased awareness driven by economic headwinds. While overall FICO scores saw a slight decline between April 2025 and April 2026, Gen Z scores rose by one point, with approximately half of this demographic maintaining a strong score of 700 or above.
Entities
FICO · Gen Z · LendingTree · Matt Schulz · Millennials
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Americans aged 18 to 29 have higher credit scores now than before the Covid-19 pandemic. www.haberaktuel.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Gen Z is credit-savvy and more aware of credit scores due to economic headwinds. www.haberaktuel.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The 18-to-29 age group saw an average credit score increase of 17 points since 2019. www.haberaktuel.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately half of Gen Z consumers have a FICO score of 700 or higher. www.haberaktuel.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Millennials, aged 30 to 44, experienced the second largest increase in credit scores since 2019. www.haberaktuel.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com