The American dream—a phrase that once conjured images of upward mobility, homeownership, and boundless opportunity—is looking more like a distant memory for many in the United States. According to a July 2025 Wall Street Journal-NORC survey, nearly 70 percent of registered voters now say the idea that "if you work hard, you will get ahead" either no longer holds true or never did. That’s the highest level of skepticism recorded in nearly 15 years of such surveys, as reported by The Wall Street Journal and Fox News Digital.
This latest poll, conducted between July 10 and July 23, 2025, with an overall margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.39 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level, paints a stark picture of the nation’s mood. Just 31 percent of respondents believe the American dream remains true, while 46 percent say it once held true but no longer does, and 23 percent believe it never held true—a five-point increase from the previous two years. The numbers are more than just statistics; they reflect a profound shift in public sentiment about what it means to live and strive in America.
Across generations and demographics, the pessimism is palpable. Respondents worry that the next generation will struggle to buy homes or save for retirement, and many believe the previous generation had a much easier time securing homes, being full-time parents, and launching businesses. Only 25 percent of those surveyed agreed that people like themselves and their families have a good shot at increasing their standard of living—a record low for such polls dating back to 1987, according to The Wall Street Journal. A mere 6 percent strongly agreed with that statement, while 19 percent somewhat agreed, and a combined 42 percent disagreed to varying degrees. The rest neither agreed nor disagreed, perhaps reflecting a sense of resignation or uncertainty.
One area where the generational divide is most evident is homeownership. A large majority—58 percent—indicated that it is now much harder to buy a home compared to their parents' generation. Another 23 percent felt it is a little more difficult, while only 2 percent thought it is much easier. Five percent felt it is a bit easier, and 11 percent saw no difference. These numbers suggest that the traditional markers of the American dream, like owning a home, are slipping out of reach for many.
The economic anxiety doesn’t stop at housing. The cost of everyday necessities is weighing heavily on American minds. When it comes to grocery shopping, 28 percent of respondents said they are extremely concerned about food prices, another 28 percent reported being very concerned, and 30 percent said they are somewhat concerned. Only 10 percent were not very concerned, and just 4 percent expressed no concern at all. These worries have translated into changed shopping habits, with 66 percent of people saying they have shifted to cheaper products to cut grocery store costs in the past year, while only 33 percent have not made such changes.
The survey also revealed a sharp partisan divide in outlook. Pessimism is particularly acute among Democratic voters: 90 percent of Democrats held a negative view of prospects for themselves and their children. In contrast, 55 percent of Republicans reported feeling down about their futures. This gap may reflect differing perceptions of economic policy, political leadership, or simply the general mood within each party’s base.
So, what’s driving this collective loss of faith? One major factor is the disconnect between traditional measures of economic growth and the lived experiences of ordinary Americans. While the economy was comparatively robust under President Joe Biden, many Americans still experienced economic hardship—an incongruity that left many feeling left behind. This sense of alienation and frustration was a key reason why President Donald Trump was elected into office, promising to revitalize the nation’s economy. However, as The Wall Street Journal reports, Trump’s so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs have had severe consequences: they have decimated key trading partnerships, obliterated thousands of jobs across the country, and sent prices soaring. The ripple effects are being felt in households from coast to coast, with even worse expected in the near future.
As Americans look beyond their borders, their confidence in the nation’s economic standing is also waning. Only 17 percent of respondents said that America had the best economy in the world, while 40 percent believed other nations had better economies—a 15-point increase from 2021. This erosion of American exceptionalism is a striking development, hinting at deeper anxieties about the country’s place in the world and its ability to provide for its citizens.
Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, who recently became chair of the National Governors Association, spoke to Fox News Digital about his legacy and the challenges facing the country. While he did not directly address the poll numbers, his comments reflected the broader discontent: "People are worried about their future—about whether their children will have the same opportunities they did. That’s something leaders at every level have to take seriously."
Indeed, the survey’s findings suggest that the American dream is no longer a given, but a question mark—a hope that feels increasingly out of reach for many. The polling data, with its record lows and historic highs, is more than just a snapshot in time; it’s a mirror reflecting the anxieties, frustrations, and shifting expectations of a nation in flux.
Of course, not all Americans have given up hope. Some still believe that hard work and perseverance can lead to success, even if the path is steeper and the obstacles greater than before. But the overwhelming message from the survey is clear: the American dream, once a unifying ideal, is now a source of debate, doubt, and even disillusionment.
As policymakers, business leaders, and ordinary citizens grapple with these realities, the question remains: can the American dream be revived, or has it become a relic of the past? For now, the answer seems as uncertain as ever, echoing in the concerns of millions whose faith in the future has been shaken but not entirely extinguished.
