Majority of Americans Say They Are Abandoning American Dream Due to Financial Pressures

BURBANK, Calif.–A majority of Americans (74%) said they are abandoning their American Dream as a result of current economic pressures, with 86% saying recent economic conditions or policy changes are hurting them, according to America’s Economic Opportunity Gap Reportfrom Zest AI.

“Financial stress is hitting Americans across income levels and generations,” ZestAI said.
Just over half (57%) of Americans earning less than $40,000 say they’ve abandoned a life goal because of the economy, along with 45% of individuals earning above that threshold. At the same time, Millennials and Gen Z are struggling to see a path forward, with many reporting that their financial aspirations feel out of reach, the analysis added.

Taking a Toll

Zest AI said the survey found recent conditions and policy changes are taking a toll, with 90% of lower-income households and 82% of higher earners ($100,000+) reporting that recent conditions and policy changes are either already impacting them or will negatively impact them soon.

Additional Findings

Additional findings include:

• 22% of Gen Z report giving up on furthering their education due to financial pressures.
• The majority of Millennials (65%) and Gen Z (61%) say the gap between their current financial standing and their goals is impossible to close, compared to just 49% of Gen X and 31% of Boomers.

Economic Pressures Cut Across Political Lines

“Financial strain is bipartisan, with nearly 9 in 10 Democrats (89%) and more than 8 in 10 Republicans (83%) saying recent economic conditions or policy changes have worsened their financial situation,” Zest Ai said. “While the pain points vary, the overall picture is one of shared economic anxiety.”

What People are Saying

• Tariffs stand out as a top concern for 53% of Democrats, compared to 33% of Republicans.
• Inflation hits both groups, with 65% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans citing it as a key challenge.
• Financial pessimism is widespread, with 59% of Democrats and 52% of Republicans feeling they have fewer opportunities today than they did a year ago.

Americans are Goal Ghosting to Focus on Survival

“Faced with ongoing economic uncertainty, many Americans are abandoning long-term financial goals and shifting focus to short-term survival,” Zest AI said. “More than one in three (36%) say they’ve given up on improving their credit or getting out of debt, and the vast majority (84%) admit the economy is reshaping their decision-making.”

The survey further found:

• 19% say they’ve put major life milestones, like marriage or having children, on hold
• 24% report that they’ve stopped making future plans due to financial uncertainty and economic conditions. 

Drastic Measures

The survey also found that Americans are taking drastic measures to make ends meet, including:

• 26% have borrowed from family or friends
• 23% are working second jobs or side hustles
• 20% have sold personal belongings
• 13% have dipped into retirement savings
• 13% have skipped medical care or prescriptions

Broader Reality

“What we’re seeing in our research reflects a broader economic reality–Americans are telling us that the rising costs of essentials like housing, healthcare, and food are simply outpacing their income growth,” CEO Mike de Vere said in a statement. “This isn’t a budgeting problem; it’s a structural economic challenge that’s making it genuinely harder for Mainstreet Americans to build financial stability. As one respondent put it, ‘the system feels stacked against everyday people.’”

The research report, with additional data and analysis, “America’s Economic Opportunity Gap,” can be found here.