Majority of Gen Z predicts dim future for the US — and their careers, poll finds
A new national poll from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School finds that young Americans under 30 years old are feeling economic insecurity, eroding trust in democratic institutions and growing social fragmentation.
The 51st Harvard Youth Poll paints a picture of Gen Z struggling with the direction of the country and their personal financial struggles.
Just 13% of Generation Z Americans believe that the U.S. is heading in the right direction, while the other 57% say things are on the wrong track, 28% said they were unsure, the poll reports.
Specifically 4% of Democrats said the country is heading in the right direction, compared to 33% of Republicans. There is a slightly lower percentage of Republicans (27%) that said the country is on the wrong track, compared to the 84% of Democrats.
Economic pressure is a defining force, with inflation, high costs and stagnant wages shaping their outlook. Harvard's poll found that 37% identify inflation as their most urgent economic priority.
The financial insecurity was found to be widespread with 43% of young Americans reporting that they are struggling or getting by with limited financial security. This strain is particularly acute among minority groups with 51% of Hispanic and 50% of Black young people reporting financial hardship, compared to 39% of their white peers.
Furthermore, only 30% believe they will be financially better off than their parents.
The poll also asked them about the future work of artificial intelligence (AI). Many young Americans (44%) believe that AI will reduce opportunities rather than create gains (14%). A majority (59%) view AI as a threat to their job prospects, more so than immigration or outsourcing. Additionally, 41% worry AI will make work less meaningful.
Trust in institutions also continues to erode. Among the institutions examined, colleges and universities (50%) and immigrants (42%) receive net-positive ratings as strengthening the country.
In contrast, half of young people involved in the poll (50%) view the mainstream media as a threat and both the Democratic and Republican parties are viewed more negatively than positively, with 40% offering negative descriptors for both.
The study also showed that only 35% believe Americans with opposing political views still want what is best for the country, while nearly 47% avoid political conversations because they worry about how others will react, a concern felt most intensely by young Republicans (54%).
Concerns were also reported for the democratic system's stability, with 64% describing the U.S. today as a democracy either in trouble (45%) or one that has already failed (19%).
Meanwhile, a strong majority (61%) reject political violence outright and a meaningful minority (39%) say violence is acceptable under at least once circumstance, such as when the government violates individual rights (28%).
Harvard also reported low leadership approval ratings and mixed party support.
President Donald Trump's approval rating stands at 29% overall, with Congressional Democrats at 27% and Congressional Republicans at 26%.
Despite this widespread skepticism, Democrats maintain a significant advantage for the 2026 Congressional elections, with 46% of registered voters preferring Democratic control compared to 29% for Republicans.
This support, however, is driven more by caution and dissatisfaction with the alternative rather than by genuine enthusiasm for the Democratic Party.
"Young Americans are sending a clear message: the systems and institutions meant to support them no longer feel stable, fair, or responsive to this generation," John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Institute of Politics said in a statement. "Their trust in democracy, the economy, and even each other is fraying — not because they are disengaged, but because they feel unheard and unprotected in a moment of profound uncertainty. Listening to them, fully and without precondition, is essential if we hope to rebuild that trust — one of the defining challenges of our time."
The survey of 2,040 young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29. It was conducted between Nov. 3 through Nov. 7 of this year and can be found here .
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