The 50th edition of the Harvard Youth Poll, released today by the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School, paints a sobering picture of young Americans navigating significant financial hardship, weakened social bonds, and declining faith in national institutions.
The survey of 2,096 Americans aged 18-29, conducted March 14-25, reveals a generation marked by pessimism and uncertainty. Only 15% believe the country is heading in the right direction, and trust in the federal government remains critically low, with just 19% trusting it to do the right thing most or all of the time.
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“From significant economic concerns to dramatic feelings of social isolation, and from growing mental health challenges to mounting distrust in the government and both parties, young Americans have apprehensions about what would have seemed unimaginable just a few short years ago,” said IOP Director Setti Warren. “These findings are a stark reality check.”
Key Findings Highlight Widespread Challenges:
Financial Precarity: Over four in ten (42%) young Americans report “barely getting by” financially or struggling to make ends meet. Only 16% feel they are doing well or very well. Hardship is particularly acute among women (47% struggling/limited security vs. 37% men), Hispanics (52% vs. 38% white, 45% Black), and those without college degrees (50% vs. 29% college graduates).
Fraying Social Fabric: Less than half of respondents report feeling a sense of community, with only 17% feeling “deeply connected.” Nearly one-third either feel no strong sense of belonging (18%) or are actively searching for it (12%). This disconnection is linked to poorer mental health, with 59% of those lacking community ties reporting depressive symptoms recently, compared to 33% of those feeling connected.
Lingering Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cast a shadow, with 31% reporting a lasting negative impact on friendships (including 22% becoming more isolated). Those who experienced isolation, particularly individuals entering high school or college during 2020 lockdowns (now ages 19 and 23), report significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms today.
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Shifting Life Priorities: Traditional life goals are evolving. While financial security (86%) and homeownership (74%) remain important, only 48% consider having children important – the lowest-ranked goal measured. Partisan divides are evident, with young Republicans placing significantly higher importance on marriage (75% vs. 56% Dems) and children (69% vs. 43% Dems) and expressing more confidence in achieving these milestones.
Political Disillusionment: Approval ratings for political leaders and institutions are low. President Trump holds a 31% approval rating among young adults, similar to previous polls. However, approval for Democrats in Congress has plummeted to 23%, down from 42% in Spring 2017. Republican congressional approval sits at 29%. Notably, Trump’s approval among young Black Americans has risen significantly from 6% in 2017 to 16% today.
Divergent Views on American Identity: While “individual rights and freedoms” is the most cited value essential to American identity across parties (35%), Democrats next prioritize “diversity and inclusion” (28%), while Republicans point to “economic opportunity” (27%) and “Christian values” (21%). This reflects a deep split in national pride: 76% of young Republicans are proud to be American, compared to only 24% of young Democrats (54% of whom feel embarrassed).
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DEI Debate: Views on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are sharply polarized, though many report no personal impact. Only 9% say DEI has helped them personally, while 11% say it has hurt. Democrats overwhelmingly see DEI as promoting fairness (69%), while only 17% of Republicans agree; 21% of Republicans feel harmed by DEI, versus 3% of Democrats.
Foreign Policy Skepticism: Support for U.S. involvement abroad is tepid, with 40% believing the U.S. spends too much on foreign aid. While protecting allies (47%) and national security (46%) are cited as valid reasons for intervention, Democrats prioritize human rights (64% vs 34% GOP), while Republicans show ambivalence towards alliances like NATO (only 13% support current commitments vs. 46% of Democrats).
Shifting Views on Immigration: Fewer young Americans now see a crisis at the Southern border (42%, down from 53% in Spring 2024). The decline occurred across party lines, though concern remains highest among Republicans (64%, down from 77%).
Limited Support for Trump’s Agenda: Key policy proposals associated with President Trump face significant opposition. Implementing new tariffs is opposed by 50% (supported by 19%), with stark partisan differences (46% GOP support vs. 5% Dem support). No tested policy, including creating a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) or abolishing the Department of Education, garnered more than 35% support.
“This is a generation that’s weathered pandemic isolation during formative years, entered an unstable economy, and faced skyrocketing housing and education costs,” noted John Della Volpe, IOP Director of Polling. “What Gen Z needs isn’t another lecture, but genuine recognition of their struggles and leaders willing to listen.”
Student Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, Jordan Schwartz, added, “This generation doesn’t expect politics to solve their problems, but as young Americans continue to lose faith in government institutions, the need for politicians to listen to and learn from young people has never been greater.”
The poll utilized the Ipsos KnowledgePanel and has a margin of error of +/- 3.21%.
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