51% of U.S. adults say the American Dream is out of reach for most people right now: CNBC survey
Key takeaways
- Just over half of Americans say the American Dream is out of reach for most people right now, according to a new CNBC and Survey Monkey American Dream Pulse Survey.
- Roughly 45% of respondents said the American Dream is only achievable for some people, and 6% said it's not in reach for anyone, according to a study of 4,130 U.S. adults, conducted May 6 to 11.
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Just over half of Americans say the American Dream is out of reach for most people right now, according to a new CNBC and Survey Monkey American Dream Pulse Survey.
Roughly 45% of respondents said the American Dream is only achievable for some people, and 6% said it's not in reach for anyone, according to a study of 4,130 U.S. adults, conducted May 6 to 11.
The term "American Dream" was popularized in the 1930s by historian James Truslow Adams, who called it a "dream of a better, richer and happier life for all our citizens of every rank." Optimism about it has generally declined over the last several decades, says Elizabeth Suhay, professor of government at American University and author of "Debating the American Dream: How Explanations for Inequality Polarize Politics."