A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of Americans are pessimistic about the nation’s future, with dissatisfaction surrounding the economy and overall national conditions.
According to the survey conducted from March 27 to April 2, 58% of respondents believe life is worse today than it was 50 years ago.
However, a majority still have at least some confidence in the future of the U.S., though this confidence has declined over the past year.
The survey results show that 77% of Americans expect the nation to be more politically divided in 2050, a 10% increase compared to the 2018 survey.
Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely to have pessimistic views than Democrats and Democratic leaners.
The negative outlook on the nation’s future is partly attributed to Americans’ assessment of current conditions.
A mere 19% are satisfied with the country’s direction, and 80% are dissatisfied.
Additionally, public expectations for economic conditions over the next year have worsened.
Although 60% of U.S. adults express some confidence in the country’s future, this number has dropped 8 points since May 2022.
Notably, older adults are more likely to have confidence in the future than younger adults, with 80% of Democrats aged 50 and older expressing at least some confidence, compared to 53% of those aged 18 to 34.