Young people in the US are discovering that the classic milestones of adulthood - moving out, paying your own bills, and not crying in the grocery store aisle - have become increasingly unattainable, according to a new survey from Generation Lab. The study of over 1,000 18- to 34-year-olds found that more than eight in ten rate the economy as “bad” or “terrible,” which is not exactly the vote of confidence the economy was hoping for.
Nia West-Bey, executive director of the National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy, summed it up succinctly: “It’s been rough for a long time.” She noted a perfect storm of long-term economic challenges, reduced support systems, and rising costs for everything from gas to groceries. Cloud Benn, 23, of New Orleans, is working two retail jobs plus a writing tutor gig while paying rent to their mom - because housing costs made moving out impossible after college. “Even if you plan it down to the penny, nine times out of 10, it’s never enough,” Benn said, adding that their mother managed to move out at the same age with hard work, while Benn is working just as hard and still can’t swing it.
The survey also asked who young people blame for this mess: 41% pointed at Donald Trump, while 31% cited “corporate greed and large companies.” Apparently, the youth have opinions, and they’re not shy about sharing them.
Kassandra Martinchek of the Urban Institute noted that while financial independence is always tricky for new adults, today’s cohort faces unique challenges like less reliable income, harder job connections, and cost pressures that previous generations didn’t encounter. Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative warned that starting a career during an economic downturn can have “scarring effects” - a term that sounds more like a medical condition but is actually about long-term wage and career damage.
Personal stories paint a vivid picture: Tanajia Moye-Green, a 25-year-old PhD student in California, said academic fellowships leave her barely surviving. When she needed an ambulance recently, she had her friend drive instead - because who can afford an ambulance these days? Raven Khreis, 19, in Buffalo, New York, reported gas at nearly $5 a gallon, leading to carpooling with friends just to hang out. Shaniya Taylor, 21, in Florida, said electricity bills have skyrocketed thanks to a rate hike by Florida Power & Light, and housing would cost more than her monthly paycheck from her non-profit job.
West-Bey pointed out that after the 2024 election, young voters named economic conditions as their top issue - which makes sense when you’re trying to plan a future but can’t figure out where you’ll sleep or what you’ll eat tomorrow. “It is really difficult to do long-term planning for your future,” she said. Meanwhile, young Americans are left wondering if adulthood is ever going to live up to the brochure.