Young, Unemployed and Optimistic

Young, Unemployed & Optimistic Pew Research Center reported its findings that US young adults aged 18-34 are hit the hardest by the recession. The public said today's young adults have it harder than their parents did, and «adulthood» begins later than it used to. 54% of 18- to 24-year-olds are currently employed (The lowest share in the history of US government collected data) 8/10 TTTTTTTT general public say finding a job is harder for young adults today than it was for their parents 7/10 general public say it's harder now to save for the future, pay for college, or buy a home Who has it the hardest Financial in today's economy? independence by the age of 29% 41% Middle- Young Adults 80% aged Adults 67% 24% Older Adults 1993 2011 However, bad economic times don't keep the young from seeing the glass as half-full; most are optimistic that they will make enough money to support their lifestyle. 100% Optimism in ability to find another job 80% 88% believe they do or will make sufficient income for their lifestyle 60% 1998 65% 1/2 full -- 40% 9% 2011 43% think they will never make sufficient income 20% 2009 25% 0% Percent of 18-34-year-olds who don't have enough income now.. 89 10 75 But think they will in the future 18 and think they won't in the future Looking to the Future: Percent of 18-34-year-olds saying when their children are their age, their standard of living will be . Gender: Worse Better Men 18 55 Women 9 66 Education: IWorse Better College Grad 16 42 No college 14 67 Some college 13 55 Source: PewResearchCenter 9 Feb. 2012 - Young, Underemployed and Optimistic: Coming of Age, Slowly, in a Tough Economy Tessa Rodes Social & Demographic Trends full report: http://bit.ly/z195ba URBANTIMES Not Employed Employed