Young Americans rate their lives far less positively than they once did, amid growing financial pressures and rising rates of depression and loneliness.
Just 44 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 considered themselves to be “thriving” in 2026, down from 64 percent in 2010, according to Gallup polling released Sunday.
The findings are based on online surveys of 15,156 U.S. adults conducted in February, May and August. To be considered thriving, respondents must rate their current life at least a seven out of 10 and their expected life in five years at least an eight.
About two-thirds of this decline has occurred since 2019, with a sharp drop during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gallup pointed to rising clinical depression and loneliness, difficulty affording housing, fears of losing jobs to artificial intelligence and growing pessimism about the job market as possible contributors to the decline.
Meanwhile, older Americans’ life ratings have improved. Among adults 65 and older, 53 percent are thriving, up from 38 percent in 2008. Gallup suggested that greater financial security and accumulated wealth may help shield them from pressures facing younger adults.
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