Young Americans Rate U.S. Economy Mostly ‘Bad’ or ‘Terrible’

Generation Lab surveyed 1,002 Americans aged 18 to 34 between April 26 and April 29, asking respondents to rate current economic conditions. Overall, 52% selected ‘bad,’ 29% selected ‘terrible,’ 16% selected ‘good,’ and 2% selected ‘excellent.’ The poll’s margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points.

Negative ratings were highest among the youngest adults: 84% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 81% of 25- to 29-year-olds rated the economy ‘bad’ or ‘terrible.’ The 30- to 34-year-old group recorded 73% in those categories.

Responses varied by gender identity. About 90% of female and non-binary respondents chose ‘bad’ or ‘terrible,’ compared with 73% of male respondents. Generation Lab cautioned that subgroup findings have larger uncertainty than the overall sample.

When asked who is responsible for poor economic conditions, 41% of respondents pointed to President Trump. In the 18- to 24-year-old group, 42% assigned responsibility to Trump and 32% to corporate greed. Among 25- to 29-year-olds, 33% blamed Trump and 33% blamed corporate actors. In the 30- to 34-year-old group, 48% named Trump. Two percent of respondents named former President Biden.

The survey was conducted as the Trump administration advanced pro-cryptocurrency policies, including support for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the passage of the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins. Those policy positions did not change the negative ratings recorded in the poll.

Respondents referenced recent economic and geopolitical developments when assessing conditions. March inflation was reported at 3.3%, and average national gas prices rose above $4.45 per gallon following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Seventy-seven percent of participants responded that the United States made the wrong decision in taking military action against Iran. Respondents also cited concerns about a possible food shortage and the risk of recession.

Generation Lab described the results as reflecting attitudes among Americans aged 18 to 34 at the end of April and reiterated that subgroup results carry wider margins of error.