A new national poll from the Harvard Kennedy School finds young Americans under intense economic pressure and increasingly losing faith in the political system. The 52nd Harvard Youth Poll shows that for many 18- to 29-year-olds, the cost of living — especially inflation and housing — defines what they see as a true crisis.
Also. trust in government, elections, and national leadership remains strikingly low. Even as young voters lean Democratic, uneven turnout, low enthusiasm, and widespread skepticism about the fairness of elections suggest that participation in the 2026 midterms may be shaped as much by doubt as by political preference.
The most defining shift among young Americans is a loss of perceived agency — a growing belief that what they do no longer shapes what happens next. Half now say people like them have no real say in government. Trust in the federal government has fallen to 15 percent, and confidence in the military has dropped sharply, from 51 percent to 39 percent.
Political engagement is still present, but its meaning is changing. Fewer young Americans believe participation delivers results, and most see elected officials as driven by self-interest.
What once converted concern into action is becoming something more conditional — a generation still paying attention, still showing up, but increasingly unsure that their voice carries weight.
Economic pressure defines this moment for young Americans: Inflation and housing drive both lived experience and urgency, alongside widespread financial strain and a sharp decline in long-term optimism.
Military action in Iran is seen as not in the best interests of Americans: A majority say military action is not in the U.S. interest.
The country feels off track: Only 13% say the U.S. is headed in the right direction, while 59% say it’s on the wrong track, and approval remains low for President Trump (25%) and both parties in Congress (26% Democrats, 25% Republicans).
Young voters favor Democrats: Democrats lead 45% to 26% among young registered voters in the generic ballot. While Democrats say they are more likely than Republicans to vote in November (Democrats 55%, Republicans 35%, Independents 25%), a plurality remain cynical about the system as a whole.
A pervasive sense of threat is defining everyday life for young Americans, and they are increasingly losing faith in fundamental systems of democracy and political participation/
Findings from the 52nd poll in the biannual series are below.
A clear Democratic advantage is offset by weak trust in election fairness and uneven enthusiasm, raising early questions about turnout in 2026.
While Democrats hold an advantage, majorities of young voters believe both parties prioritize elites over people like them, fueling demand for candidates who are younger and more aligned with their values.
While many young Americans recognize the need for government action during emergencies, they express clear limits on how much power leaders should have. There is broad concern that emergency powers could be overused or abused, reflecting deep skepticism about unchecked authority.
For example, A majority of young Americans (53%) say it would be unacceptable for a president to bypass Congress after declaring a national emergency.
President Kennedy once said, “It is a time for a new generation of leadership to cope with new problems and new opportunities.”
