Young Americans' Thriving Rate Falls to 44% in 2026 as Seniors Rise to 53%
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 5
Young Americans' Thriving Rate Falls to 44% in 2026 as Seniors Rise to 53%
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 5
Summary
Just 44% of U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 said they were “thriving” in 2026, down from 64% in 2010, according to Gallup polling released Sunday.
Gallup said about two-thirds of that decline came since 2019, with a sharp drop during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rising depression and loneliness, housing affordability strains, fears of AI-driven job loss and worsening views of the job market were cited as likely drivers.
Older Americans moved in the opposite direction: 53% of adults 65 and older were thriving, up from 38% in 2008, a gap Gallup linked to greater financial security and accumulated wealth.