A significant majority of Americans still believe that the American Dream is within reach, but doubt has grown among some demographics, a recent report from the Archbrige Institute found.
While the survey of 2,100 Americans found that 75% of respondents believe the American Dream is within reach, it did find signs of increased doubt among young people and those with lower education and income levels.
“While belief in the American Dream remains strong overall, it is troubling that doubt has begun to creep in, especially among younger and less educated people,” said Gonzalo Schwarz, the president and CEO of the Archbridge Institute.
While 18% of respondents said the American Dream was out of reach in 2022, the figure increased to 24% this year.
In 2022, just 14% of those between the ages of 18 to 29 said they had fewer opportunities than their parents. But now the figure has increased by 11 percentage points, with 25% of people in the age cohort saying they have fewer opportunities than their parents.
Meanwhile, 31% of those without a high school diploma, and those with a high school diploma but without any college education, believe that the American Dream is out of reach. Just 16% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher believe it is unattainable.
Only 11% of those who make $100,000 a year or more believe that the American Dream is lost, while 21% of those who make between $60,000 and $100,000 and 29% of those who make between $30,000 and $60,000 say the same. A full 38% of those who make less than $30,000 say that the American Dream is unachievable.
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While 25% of black respondents and 28% of Hispanic respondents say that it is out of reach, a smaller margin of white respondents, 22%, agree. White respondents are more likely than black or Hispanic respondents to say they have fewer opportunities for success than their parents.
There are, however, differing views on what achievements constitute reaching the American Dream. While just 14% of respondents in 2023 said that becoming wealthy was essential to the American Dream, 28% said that making valuable contributions to your community was necessary.
The vast majority of respondents, 82%, stated that “freedom of choice in how to live” was essential, while 79% said it is essential to have a good family life. Half of the respondents considered owning a home an essential part of the American Dream. Meanwhile, 68% said that retiring comfortably is an integral aspect.