In the first edition of Progress Pulse, we found that when presented with two competing visions of the future of human progress, Americans are nearly evenly divided between those who think the world will get better in the coming decades (52%) and those who think it will get worse (48%).
In this edition, we wanted to build on this initial finding in a few ways. First, we narrowed our focus to attitudes about the future of the United States instead of broader attitudes about the world. Second, we ensured respondents used a similar timeline when thinking about the future by specifying “50 years from now” instead of the more ambiguous “the coming decades.” Finally, we explored whether Americans’ expectations about progress in the next 50 years are related to their attitudes about progress over the last 50 years.
To accomplish these goals, we commissioned a survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, among a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 U.S. adults. We first asked respondents to what extent they agree or disagree that life in America is generally better today than it was 50 years ago. Next, we asked to what extent they agree or disagree that life in America will be better 50 years from now than it is today. We then examined the relationship between these attitudes about progress.
Do Americans Believe Life is Better Today Than 50 Years Ago?
A majority of Americans (57%) somewhat or strongly agree that life in America is generally better today than it was 50 years ago.
Demographics and Attitudes About Past Progress
Men are more likely than women to believe life in America has improved.
-Men: 61%
-Women: 53%
Americans between the ages of 45 and 54 are the least likely to believe life today is better than in the past.
-18-24: 57%
-25-34: 59%
-35-44: 61%
-45-54: 49%
-55-64: 57%
-65+: 59%
Formal education and income are positively associated with a belief in progress.
-High school or less: 52%
-Some college: 56%
-College graduates: 64%
-Income less than $50k: 47%
-Income $50k to $74,9k: 56%
-Income $75k to $99,9k: 60%
-Income $100k or more: 62%
Democrats are the most likely political group to believe life in America is better today than in the past.
-Democrats: 65%
-Republicans: 57%
-Independents: 53%
Do Americans Believe Life Will Be Better in 50 Years?
A majority of Americans (56%) somewhat or strongly agree life in America will generally be better 50 years from now than it is today.
Demographics and Attitudes About Future Progress
Men are more likely than women to believe life in America will be better in 50 years than it is today.
-Men: 63%
-Women: 49%
American adults under the age of 25 are the least likely to believe life in America will be better in the future.
-18-24: 46%
-25-34: 60%
-35-44: 60%
-45-54: 53%
-55-64: 57%
-65+: 56%
Americans with household incomes of less than $50k per year are less likely than those in higher-income households to believe life in America will be better in the future.
-High school or less: 55%
-Some college: 52%
-College graduates: 59%
-Income less than $50k: 49%
-Income $50k to $74,9k: 57%
-Income $75k to $99,9k: 58%
-Income $100k or more: 58%
Independents are less likely to expect life in America to be better in the future than Democrats or Republicans.
-Democrats: 59%
-Republicans:58%
-Independents: 53%
Do Attitudes About Past Progress Predict Expectations for Future Progress?
Expectations about progress over the next 50 years are strongly related to beliefs about progress during the last 50 years. Specifically, among Americans who believe life in America is better today than it was 50 years ago, 73% expect life to be better 50 years from now than it is today. However, among Americans who do not believe life is better today than it was 50 years ago, only 33% expect it to be better 50 years in the future.
As shown in the figure below, this major difference in expectations for the future is consistent across demographic groups.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Human Flourishing Lab from January 16-21, 2025, among 2,086 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact croutledge@archbridgeinstitute.org
Respondents were presented with the following prompts:
Life in America is generally better today than it was 50 years ago.
Life in America will be generally better 50 years from now than it is today.
Respondents were asked to indicate whether they strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree with each prompt.
Progress Pulse
Progress Pulse is a data-driven research project of the Human Flourishing Lab exploring views about progress. We conduct regular surveys of the American people on questions related to human advancement, emerging technologies, and visions of the future.
