The American Dream

Our poll reveals a deeply anxious and divided American electorate, grappling with economic pressures, generational divides, and a fading belief in the American Dream.

While a slight plurality of voters (41%) feel their life is better than their parents’ was, this sentiment masks a profound generational split. An overwhelming 77% of the Silent Generation and 51% of Baby Boomers feel their lives have improved, compared to just 31% of Millennials and 35%
of Gen Z who feel their lives are better than their parents’. Black voters (53%) are the most optimistic racial group regarding their personal progress compared to the previous generation.

The primary concerns facing the nation are economic. The economy (34%) and inflation (29%) are the top two issues cited, followed by political division (26%). Priorities diverge along party lines, with Democrats focusing on political division (33%) while Republicans prioritize immigration (27%) and crime (26%) alongside the economy.

Belief in the American Dream is tenuous. A worrying 64% of voters believe the dream has become less attainable over the past decade. This pessimism is most acute among Republicans (42% feel it’s “much less attainable”) and younger generations. Currently, only 22% of voters believe they have achieved the American dream, while 36% feel it is out of reach. This gap is again generational: 59% of the Silent Generation feel they’ve achieved it, while 40% of Millennials feel it is unattainable for them. For most voters, the dream is defined by practical goals like economic stability and homeownership.

Voters are pessimistic about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), with 40% believing it will make achieving the American Dream harder, compared to only 16% who think it will make it easier. Voters give an edge to the Republican Party (39%) over the Democratic Party (33%) in supporting the American Dream, but a significant 28% believe neither party is aligned with
this goal.