- Majority of Gen Z sees the U.S. as heading the wrong way, driven by economic insecurity and bleak prospects for financial advancement.
- Widespread anxiety about AI and eroding trust in institutions fuels political disillusionment and openness to extreme measures.
In a landscape already battered by economic ups and downs, political gridlock, and rapid tech shifts, a fresh poll is shining a harsh light on how the youngest adult generation feels about it all.
The latest Harvard Youth Poll, now in its 25th year, paints a picture of widespread unease among 18- to 29-year-olds.
These folks aren’t just worried—they’re downright pessimistic about where the country’s headed, their job prospects, and even their ability to trust the people around them.
The FrankNez Media Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
It’s the kind of data that makes you pause and wonder: If this is how the next wave of leaders sees things, what does that mean for everyone else?
The poll, conducted by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, surveyed 2,040 young Americans nationwide from November 3 to 7, 2025.
And the results? They’re not pretty. Only 13% think the U.S. is on the right track, while a whopping 57% say we’re veering off course.
That’s a stark contrast to back in 2009, during the Great Recession, when just 37% felt the country was on the wrong path.
Today, with inflation biting hard and AI looming large, that negativity has spiked.
Economic Strain Hits Hard and Unevenly
Let’s start with the money side of things, because that’s what’s keeping a lot of these young people up at night. Forty-three percent report they’re either struggling financially or scraping by with limited security.
This hits harder for certain groups—51% of Hispanic respondents and 50% of Black ones say they’re in tough spots, compared to 39% of white peers.
Education plays a role too: 53% of those without a college degree feel the pinch, versus 28% of current students and 32% of graduates.
Inflation tops the list as the biggest economic headache, with 37% calling it their most urgent priority.
Republicans are especially vocal here—48% of them point to it as their top issue—while Democrats aren’t far behind at 36%.
Housing costs are another common gripe, cited by around 11-12% across party lines.
And looking ahead, only 30% believe they’ll be better off than their parents financially.
It’s no wonder economic insecurity is fueling so much of this broader discontent.
AI: The New Bogeyman for Job Security
If economic woes weren’t enough, throw in artificial intelligence, and you’ve got a recipe for even more anxiety. A solid 59% see AI as a threat to their future job prospects—way more than immigration (31%) or outsourcing (48%).
This fear crosses party lines, with 66% of Democrats and 59% of Republicans feeling the same.
Dig a bit deeper, and it’s clear AI isn’t just about jobs disappearing; it’s about the whole nature of work changing.
Forty-four percent think it’ll reduce opportunities overall, compared to just 14% who expect it to create more.
And 41% worry it’ll make work feel less meaningful.
Trust in AI varies wildly too—over half are okay with it for school or work tasks, but only 18% would rely on it for mental health advice.
As one student involved in the poll put it, “You really can’t lie to young people about the economy, especially when they’re just trying to get by.”
Eroding Trust in Institutions and Each Other
Beyond the wallet, there’s a deeper erosion happening: faith in the pillars of society is crumbling.
Trust in colleges and immigrants bucks the trend as somewhat positive, but mainstream media and political parties?
They’re seen more as problems than solutions.
Many young Americans are dodging political chats altogether, scared of judgment or convinced that folks on the other side don’t have the country’s best interests at heart.
Vaccine confidence shows cracks too, with divides by race and politics.
And social trust is fraying—it’s like the glue holding conversations together is coming unstuck.
Politics: Low Approval, High Frustration
On the political front, approval ratings are in the dumps. President Trump sits at 29% approval among this group, down from 31% in the spring.
Congressional Democrats and Republicans aren’t faring much better, at 27% and 26% respectively.
When asked to describe the parties in one word, negativity rules: 58% went negative for Democrats (often “weak”), and 56% for Republicans (“corrupt”).
Forty percent slammed both.
Ideological labels are losing their shine too. Support for capitalism is at 39%, down from 45% in 2020; socialism at 21%, down from 30%.
But heading into 2026 midterms, Democrats have an edge—46% prefer them controlling Congress over 29% for Republicans.
It’s more about avoiding the alternative than excitement, though.
The Shadow of Political Violence
For the first time, the poll dipped into views on political violence, and the results are concerning.
While most reject it, 39% say it’s acceptable under certain circumstances, like if the government violates individual rights (28% agree with that specifically).
This isn’t tied strictly to ideology; it’s more about financial stress, distrust, and feeling isolated.
A Wake-Up Call for the Future
John Della Volpe, the polling director, summed it up bluntly: “Instability is shaping nearly every part of young people’s lives.”
thedailybeast.com Jordan Schwartz, the student chair, called it a “five-alarm fire” that could threaten American democracy if ignored.
These young adults aren’t disengaged; they’re disillusioned.
Rebuilding that trust means listening—really listening—to their fears about affordability, tech’s takeover, and a system that feels rigged against them.
If we don’t, the drift could turn into a full-blown crisis.
What’s clear from this poll is that Gen Z’s outlook isn’t just a phase; it’s a signal we can’t afford to miss.
Also Read: A DOJ Whistleblower Now Makes Revelation That Undermines the Judicial System’s Integrity
