WASHINGTON
A new Gallup poll shows Americans’ outlook for the future has fallen to a historic low, underscoring a deepening national pessimism.
Only about 59% of Americans in 2025 gave high marks when asked to rate how good their life will be in five years—the lowest annual measure since Gallup began tracking the question nearly two decades ago.
The findings reveal a notable divergence between how people view their present and their future. Historically, Gallup’s measures of “current” and “future” life satisfaction have moved in tandem.
But over the last decade, while current satisfaction has declined, optimism about the future has fallen even more sharply.
This gap signals a profound shift in the national mood. The poll suggests Americans are not only unhappy with current conditions but are growing more doubtful that their lives will improve in the years ahead.
By James Kisoo
