Americans’ Faith in American Dream Falls Below 50% as Costs Squeeze Upward Mobility
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 18
Americans’ Faith in American Dream Falls Below 50% as Costs Squeeze Upward Mobility
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 18
Summary
Fewer than half of Americans now say everyone in the country can achieve their ideal life, even though most still believe they personally can move up economically, according to a new poll.
Rising costs for housing, gas, health care and groceries are driving that erosion, with tariffs and war also pushing up the price of basic necessities.
More Americans say they are financially worse off than before and are increasingly worried about finding or keeping a job, underscoring the gap between personal hope and broader pessimism.
The weakening belief in broad-based mobility comes alongside fewer marriages and fewer births, suggesting the economic strain is reshaping long-term life decisions as well as sentiment.