Americans' Future Optimism Hits New Low, Poll Finds

Gallup survey shows drop in Americans rating their future life as 'thriving'

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A new Gallup poll found that only about 59% of Americans gave high ratings when asked to evaluate how good their life will be in about five years, the lowest annual measure since Gallup began asking this question almost 20 years ago. The finding indicates a deep gloom has fallen over the country, with future optimism dropping even more than current life satisfaction over the past decade.

Why it matters

The decline in Americans' optimism about their future is a concerning sign about the national mood and could have implications for consumer confidence, political stability, and overall societal well-being. The data suggests growing pessimism that crosses party lines, with both Democrats and Republicans feeling less hopeful about the years ahead.

The details

The Gallup survey asks Americans to rate their current and future lives on a scale from 0 to 10, with those giving an 8 or higher on the future question categorized as optimists. In 2025, only 59% of Americans were optimists, down from around 65% in recent years. The percentage of Americans Gallup deems 'thriving' - those rating their current life a 7 or higher and their future an 8 or higher - also fell below 50% last year. The declines were sharper among Democrats and Hispanic Americans, though Republicans also grew gloomier about the future despite their party controlling the White House and Congress.

  • The 2025 results are based on data collected over four quarterly measurement periods in 2025.
  • Gallup has been asking this question about future optimism for almost 20 years.

The players

Gallup

An American analytics and advisory company that provides data-driven news based on U.S. and global polls, surveys, and performance management solutions to more than 44,000 clients worldwide.

Dan Witters

The research director of the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index.

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What they’re saying

“While current life is eroding, it's that optimism for the future that has eroded almost twice as much over the course of about that last 10 years or so.”

— Dan Witters, Research Director, Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index

“The regime change in the White House almost certainly was a big driving factor in what's happened. And a lot of that was just because the people who identified as Democrats really took it in the chops.”

— Dan Witters, Research Director, Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index

What’s next

Gallup plans to continue tracking Americans' optimism about the future in its quarterly surveys.

The takeaway

The steep decline in Americans' optimism about their future, across party lines, is a troubling sign that could portend broader social and economic challenges ahead. Policymakers and leaders will need to grapple with the root causes of this growing pessimism to restore a sense of hope and possibility for the country's future.