A recent survey of 1,502 adults paints a bleak picture of the American Dream’s current status, with only 34% of respondents believing it’s still within reach.
This ideal, once synonymous with success through hard work and determination, seems to be slipping away for many Americans.
The concept of the American Dream, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, embodies the belief that every U.S. citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.
Yet, the poll’s findings show a significant decline in optimism over the past decade. Back in 2012, 53% of respondents believed the dream was attainable.
By 2024, that figure had plummeted 19 points.
Interestingly, nearly half of the respondents feel the American Dream was once attainable but no longer is.
Meanwhile, the percentage of those who believe it was never achievable has slightly decreased, from 18% in 2023 to 17% in 2024—a subtle shift but a telling one nonetheless.
Traditional pillars of the American Dream, like home ownership and marriage, also received a downbeat assessment.
A mere 10% of those surveyed said home ownership is easy to achieve, while just 47% see marriage as attainable.
The outlook on financial stability and a comfortable retirement is even grimmer, with only 9% agreeing these goals are easily within reach.
Former President Donald Trump recently commented on the state of the American Dream, attributing its decline to the current administration.
“You don’t have to imagine what a Kamala Harris administration would be because you’re living through it right now; a nightmare,” Trump said.
He promised to “bring back the American Dream” by addressing issues like rising prices.
This poll reflects growing pessimism across the business community and society at large, as traditional benchmarks of success become increasingly elusive for many Americans.
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