Jul 21, 2021 - Economy

Poll: The kids are in financial trouble

Photo of small children playing on a airplane structure on a playground

Photo: Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Americans are more pessimistic than ever before about their kids' financial future, according to new data from the Pew Research Center.

The big picture: It's not just America. A majority in almost all of the 17 countries surveyed by Pew thinks kids will be worse off financially. It's been that way since at least 2013.

Details: The majority of Americans — across the political spectrumare downbeat about their kids' financial future.

  • But views among Republicans saw the biggest shift: Over three-quarters are now pessimistic, a 40-point jump since last year.

Background: Check out the chart below. Views about the economy are sunnier in most countries compared to this time last year — though many are far from their pre-pandemic high.

  • Just two nations saw a slight decline: the United States and Spain.
Percentage who say the current economic situation is good
Data: Pew Research Center; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

The intrigue: Those who are negative about the current state of the economy are more likely to say their kids will be worse off in the future.

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