American Optimism Hits All-Time Low as Future Seems Gloomy

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:05:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent Gallup poll reveals that only 59% of Americans express confidence in their future, marking the lowest levels of optimism since polling began 20 years ago. Despite current life satisfaction waning, future optimism has declined even further.

A new Gallup poll shows that American optimism about the future has plummeted to 59%, the lowest level recorded in two decades. While current life satisfaction has been on the decline, the drop in future optimism is even more pronounced. This erosion of hope is felt across political lines, with significant declines noted among Democrats and Hispanic Americans. The data illustrates a troubling trend amidst rising socio-economic concerns and changing political tides.

WASHINGTON (AP) — American optimism for the future has reached a worrying threshold, with only 59% of adults expressing confidence in their prospects for the next five years, according to a recent Gallup poll.

This figure reflects the lowest annual measure recorded in almost two decades, highlighting the significant concerns many have regarding socioeconomic conditions and future stability.

The historical data demonstrates a correlation between feelings about the present and future. Typically, when current life satisfaction is high, optimism about the future flourishes as well. However, this current outlook shows a decline over the past decade, with diminishing future optimism surpassing that decline.

The survey categorized individuals who rated their future outlook an 8 or higher as optimists, and troublingly, fewer than half (48%) of Americans currently fall into this optimistic category.

Research director Dan Witters indicates that while current life satisfaction diminishes, the drop in future optimism is nearly twice as profound over recent years.

Notably, disparities in optimism are evident across demographics. For instance, the optimism levels among Democrats fell from 65% to 57%, signaling a severe drop during the recent political shifts in governance, contrary to Republicans' hopefulness.

Demographics at a Glance

The bleak outlook is particularly striking among Hispanic adults, whose optimism decreased from 69% to 63% amid worries over cost of living and the political climate.

The regime change in the White House almost certainly was a big driving factor in what’s happened, Witters commented, emphasizing the impact felt by minority communities.

This data stems from Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index, founded upon comprehensive interviews conducted throughout 2025, totaling over 22,000 responses from American adults.