Older Americans say it’s a good time to find a job. Younger people aren’t buying it, new poll finds

Key Points:

• A new Gallup World Poll reveals a sharp decline in job market optimism among young Americans aged 15-34, with only 43% saying it’s a good time to find a job, compared to 64% of those aged 55 and older, marking the largest generational gap among 141 countries surveyed.
• Globally, younger people tend to be more optimistic than older generations about job prospects, but the U.S. stands out as one of the few countries where younger Americans are significantly more pessimistic, a trend that emerged abruptly over the past two years.
• Younger Americans’ confidence in the job market has dropped by 27 percentage points since 2023, reaching levels comparable to the Great Recession, while older Americans’ views have remained relatively stable.
• The generational divide in economic outlook contributes to political and social tensions, with younger voters expressing frustration over economic challenges like housing affordability and feeling misunderstood by older generations.
• Factors fueling young Americans' pessimism include fears about the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, difficulties securing first employment, and broader economic concerns, whereas older Americans’ more positive outlook is influenced by higher rates of homeownership and retirement status.