Young Americans' job market optimism falls: new poll

Key Points:

• A recent Gallup World Poll reveals a sharp decline in job market optimism among young Americans (ages 15-34), with only 43% viewing it as 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, young people generally feel more optimistic than older adults about job prospects, making the U.S. an outlier where younger individuals are significantly more pessimistic than their elders about employment opportunities.
• The drop in confidence among young Americans began after 2023, with a 27 percentage point decline by 2025, reaching levels similar to those during the 2008 Great Recession, while older Americans’ views have remained relatively stable.
• Economic frustrations among younger Americans are linked to factors such as rising housing costs, the impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level jobs, and a perception that older generations do not understand their economic challenges, contributing to widening generational divides in politics.
• Despite younger voters’ concerns, many still disapprove of former President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and cost of living, with about 80% of adults under 35 expressing disapproval, compared to around 60% of older adults.