More than three-quarters of Americans say they still believe the American Dream is worth striving for ahead of the 250th anniversary, but many Democrats are starting to give up, according to a new survey.
In total, 78% of those surveyed believe it is important to strive for the American Dream — the same figure as in 2024, according to the Gallup American Dream Study, whose results were published Thursday.
More than two-thirds (69%) of those surveyed believe they will personally achieve the American Dream, a slight drop of 3 percentage points since 2024.
However, the study found that less than half (46%) of respondents believe everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, down from 51% in 2024.
A total of 60% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans said the dream was “unfinished,” while Reps, Dems, and Independents alike all called government reform the number one priorty to ensure future generations can achieve the American Dream.
A third of Democrats (33%) said the American Dream had failed, while 31% of Republicans said it has succeeded.
Just 11% of Republicans and about one-quarter of Republicans believe the American Dream had failed.
Immigrants were far more bullish about the American dream, with adults born outside the US more likely than their American-born counterparts to be optimistic about their future.
More than three quarters (77%) of those born abroad versus 66% of US-born respondents said people can get ahead by working hard.
An almost-identical split of foreign-born vs US-born respondents (75% to 66%) felt they could achieve a better life than their parents’ generation.
When asked what came to mind when they think of the American Dream, responses highlighted a shift in recent years from the importance of pure material wealth to foundational stability and rights.
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” topped the survey as the most important concept of the American Dream, according to the study, created by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
More than half (51%) of foreign-born respondents felt optimistic about the future of the American Dream, 9 percentage points more than their counterparts born in the US.
The study also found that those born outside the US overwhelmingly view the American Dream as an “opportunity,” with 72% stating that as the term that most came to mind.
For native-born Americans, the American Dream was mostly viewed through the lens of seeking stability, with 53% stating that as their priority.
Despite high political polarization in the US, Americans across the political spectrum found something they could agree on, with similar figures saying that the American Dream is “unfinished.”
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