Benedict Vigers

A new Gallup poll finds that young Americans' job market optimism has fallen, while older adults remain upbeat, creating a generational rift in views of economic opportunity. The gap between young and older Americans' views is greater than in any other country surveyed. Younger Americans are now less optimistic about the job market than their peers in other developed countries.

Young Americans have a gloomier outlook on their job prospects than their older colleagues, creating a wider optimism gap than any other country surveyed by Gallup, with only 43% of those aged 15 to 34 thinking it was a good time to find a job locally in 2025. The biggest drop in positive outlook came from young Americans who have higher education and aren't yet working full time. This pessimism is attributed to artificial intelligence gutting entry-level roles and a corporate landscape often heavily reliant on social capital over qualifications.