A new survey from Florida Atlantic University reveals that a majority of Americans continue to believe in the attainability of the “American Dream,” despite ongoing challenges related to inflation, housing costs, and healthcare expenses. n nThe poll, conducted by FAU’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative (BEPI), found that 52% of respondents believe the American Dream is still achievable today, while 42% think it was once possible but no longer is. Floridians showed slightly higher optimism, with 53% affirming the dream’s relevance. n nThe survey explored economic anxieties affecting households, including rising living costs and financial insecurity. Nearly 89% of participants expressed concern about inflation, 80% about housing affordability, and 83% about healthcare and personal debt. n nOnly 54% are moderately confident their household will improve its standard of living within the next two to five years, while 15% doubt any improvement will occur. n nMonica Escaleras, director of BEPI, noted that financial stress cuts across income and geographic lines. “These concerns are widespread, affecting people regardless of background,” she said. n nAbout 43% of respondents said they live paycheck to paycheck, with another 26% doing so occasionally. Just 48% have an emergency fund covering three months of expenses, and 44% have considered relocating due to high living costs. n nLooking ahead, 54.2% believe future generations will enjoy a better quality of life, while 22% are convinced they will not. Floridians were more optimistic, with 58% expecting improvement for the next generation. n n”While faith in upward mobility endures, there are clear signs of strain,” said Eric Levy, assistant director of BEPI. “People still hope for progress, but confidence is eroding, especially when thinking about their children’s futures.” n nThe survey included 1,000 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3.02 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect national demographics. n— news from Florida Atlantic University n
— News Original —nFAU Poll: Americans Stay Hopeful Amid Economic Challenges nFaith in the “American Dream” persists among Americans, even as inflation and housing affordability present hurdles, according to a new poll from Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative (BEPI). n nFaith in the “American Dream” persists among Americans, even as inflation and housing affordability present hurdles, according to a new poll from Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative (BEPI). n nA slim majority of Americans (52%) believe the “American Dream” remains true today, while 42% think it was true in the past but not today. Floridians, on the other hand, when polled on the same question, had slightly higher faith in the “American Dream” at 53%. n nThe “National American Dream Sentiment Survey” examined the primary economic concerns facing Americans today, such as health care, debt and housing affordability, to see if the “American Dream” still feels attainable to Americans. The survey, produced by BEPI in the College of Business, offers an in-depth examination of how concerns about future opportunities are affecting Americans today. A previous poll measured economic concerns among Florida residents. n n“The nearly even split amongst Americans shows a generational divide on the ‘American Dream,’” said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., chair of the department of economics and director of BEPI. “While optimism about opportunity in America might be lessening, a majority of Americans are still holding on to the belief in better future opportunities for themselves.” n nEveryday financial concerns affect Americans, with 89% at least somewhat concerned about inflation, and 80% are concerned about housing affordability. A vast majority (83%) are concerned about healthcare costs and personal debt. n nConsidering these concerns, only 54% are at least somewhat confident that their household will improve its standard of living in the next two to five years, while 15% are doubtful that their standard of living will improve. n n“Americans are facing consistent concerns about everyday costs, health care prices, and overall debt. This level of concern suggests these financial stresses are facing the vast majority, cutting across income and regional lines,” Escaleras said. n nApproximately 43% of those surveyed reported living paycheck to paycheck, while 26% stated that they do so occasionally. Only 48% have an emergency fund covering at least three months of expenses, and 44% of Americans considered leaving their area due to the cost of living. n nWhen looking ahead to the future, 54.2% of Americans think future generations will have a better life, while 24% are unsure, and 22% are sure that they will not. Floridians had higher optimism, as 58% felt future generations would have a better life. n n“Despite their attachment to the ‘American Dream’, a growing majority is struggling to realize it,” said Eric Levy, assistant director of FAU’s BEPI. “Optimism about the future persists but shows some signs of fading, especially when people look ahead to the next generation.” n nThe survey is based on a panel sample of American adults aged 18 and older. The survey was administered using online data collection using REP DATA. A total of 1,000 respondents were sampled between Sept. 30 and Oct. 10, with a margin of error of ±3.02 percentage points. Responses for the entire sample were weighted to reflect the national distribution of the American population by region, education, gender and age, according to the latest American Community Survey data. n n-FAU-