US EditionNearly 70% of Americans doubt hard work leads to economic success, WSJ-NORC poll finds
The poll reveals economic pessimism with only 25% believing they can improve their standard of living, marking a record low since 1987, amid concerns over housing and wages.
- A Wall Street Journal-NORC poll released on Labor Day 2025 revealed that the majority of U.S. adults no longer believe that putting in hard work ensures financial success.
- The poll's results reflect growing economic hardship driven by rising home prices and stagnant wages, which many cite as undermining the American dream.
- Respondents expressed that previous generations faced fewer challenges when purchasing homes, starting businesses, and parenting full-time, underscoring a gap between past economic conditions and today's realities.
- Only a quarter of respondents feel optimistic about their prospects for raising their living standards, while close to 70 percent reject or have never accepted the notion that hard work guarantees success.
- These poll results suggest widespread pessimism about economic mobility and underscore challenges for policymakers addressing affordability and wage growth.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Americans No Longer Have Faith in the American Dream
Source: aire images / Getty A recent poll shows that many Americans no longer believe in the promise of the “American dream.” According to a Wall Street Journal–NORC survey conducted in July 2025, nearly seven in ten registered voters said the notion that “hard work leads to success” is no longer true—or was never true to begin with. The Journal noted that this is the highest level of skepticism recorded in almost 15 years of tracking the questi…
69% Lose Faith in the American Dream
69% Lose Faith in the American Dream
MYSTATELINE
Pessimism about economy at record highs in new survey
(The Hill) - Pessimism around the national economy is at a record high in the U.S. and the majority believe the American Dream is no longer true, according to a new survey. The poll, released Monday by The Wall Street Journal/NORC Research Center, found that just a quarter of U.S. adults believe they have a good chance of improving their standard of living. When asked about the state of the economy, 45 percent of Americans said it will get wors…
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Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
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