🎓Harvard poll reveals 4 in 10 young Americans "barely getting by" financially abandon political engagement
Civic Participation
Education
Economy
Harvard's Spring 2025 Youth Poll found that over 40% of Americans under 30 are "barely getting by" financially, with only 16% doing well economically. The survey of 2,096 young people showed just 15% think the country's heading in the right direction, fewer than half feel connected to their communities, and civic engagement keeps dropping. Non-college youth get hit hardest—50% struggle financially compared to 29% of college graduates, creating class-based barriers that determine who has time and energy for democracy.
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Key Takeaways
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Why This Matters
Democracy dies when young people are too broke to participate
Civic engagement needs time and mental space—when nearly half of young Americans work multiple jobs just to afford rent, voting becomes a luxury they can't prioritize over survival.
College creates two classes of citizens with totally different political power
Only 29% of college grads struggle financially vs 50% of non-college youth, meaning your diploma determines whether you can afford to attend city council meetings or volunteer for campaigns.
Political power concentrates among wealthy older voters when working people can't show up
Tuesday evening town halls and weekday campaign events systematically exclude people working hourly jobs, skewing representation toward affluent retirees with flexible schedules.
Find local groups making civic engagement accessible to working people
Look for organizations offering weekend voter registration drives, virtual town halls, and childcare during political events—democracy works better when everyone can participate regardless of their work schedule.
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Detailed Content
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According to Harvard's Spring 2025 Youth Poll, what percentage of Americans under 30 are "barely getting by" financially?
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Civic Participation
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What percentage of young Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction?
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Civic Participation
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How many young Americans did the Harvard poll survey to reach these conclusions?
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Civic Participation
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What percentage of young women report financial struggles compared to young men?
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Education
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According to IOP Director Setti Warren, what should leaders do in response to these findings?
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Fewer than half of young Americans feel a sense of community, with only 17% reporting deep social connection.
True/False
Civic Participation
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Fewer than one-third of young Americans approve of President Trump or either party in Congress.
True/False
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The poll was conducted between March 14-25, 2025, making it the 50th edition in the biannual series.
True/False
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