Optimism and Doubt
A majority of Americans have viewed economic conditions as below par since April 2001 and recently close to 90 percent rate conditions as “only fair” or “poor”. Americans are also divided on whether conditions will be better in a year. But some level of public doubt and dissatisfaction with the economy is normal, even during prosperous times. In the late 1990s, when most Americans were optimistic about both the overall economy and their personal outlook, they were critical of some specific areas. Even with their doubts about the overall economy, more than half of Americans remain optimistic about their personal financial situation, though more than two-thirds say the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. While the overall majority of young adults believe they will be financially better off than their parents, whites were less likely than their minority peers to say so. Public Agenda examined the hopes and prospects of young adults in our Life after High School research study.
A majority of Americans have viewed economic conditions as below par since April 2001 and recently close to 90 percent rate conditions as “only fair” or “poor”. Americans are also divided on whether conditions will be better in a year. But some level of public doubt and dissatisfaction with the economy is normal, even during prosperous times. In the late 1990s, when most Americans were optimistic about both the overall economy and their personal outlook, they were critical of some specific areas. Even with their doubts about the overall economy, more than half of Americans remain optimistic about their personal financial situation, though more than two-thirds say the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. While the overall majority of young adults believe they will be financially better off than their parents, whites were less likely than their minority peers to say so. Public Agenda examined the hopes and prospects of young adults in our Life after High School research study.
- More than two-thirds of Americans say the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen
- Large majorities say economic conditions are getting worse and are divided on whether conditions will be better in a year
- Minority young adults are more likely than white young adults to say they will be financially better off than their parents
- About half of Americans rate their own financial situation as strong and few expect their situation to get worse
- Most Americans rate economic conditions as "only fair" or "poor"
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