American Dream Crumbles as Only 25% Believe Hard Work Improves Living Standards
The land of opportunity is losing its believers. According to a Wall Street Journal-NORC survey, confidence in improving one’s living standard has plummeted to a historic low of just 25% — the worst showing since tracking began in 1987. The shift exposes a nation grappling with economic fragility, even as traditional indicators suggest robust performance.
- More than three-quarters doubt the next generation will be better off, and nearly 70% no longer believe that hard work leads to success — the highest level of skepticism in 15 years.
- Housing affordability remains a critical barrier, with fewer than 25% feeling confident they could buy a home if desired, while 56% say they have little or no confidence in their chances.
Living for the hope of it all: Stanford’s Neale Mahoney observed how public sentiment and economic indicators moved in sync — until the pandemic. Since then, they’ve diverged dramatically. President Trump now faces the same challenge that contributed to Biden’s party losing in 2024: convincing Americans their finances are getting better, even if they don’t feel it. With concerns about inflation still high at 28% despite lower rates, and AI threatening job security, Americans are hedging their bets — not buying into the optimism.