Why millennials feel hopeless about the economy
15 days ago
- #economic-mobility
- #millennials
- #generational-wealth
- Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are financially better off than their parents but not outpacing them as much as expected.
- Median household real income for Gen X and millennials in their late 30s is 16% and 18% higher than the previous generation, respectively, but lower than the increases seen by the Silent Generation and baby boomers.
- Millennials face challenges such as delayed milestones (homeownership, marriage), student debt, and recalibrating expectations due to slower wage growth and economic shifts.
- Women in the workforce, particularly baby boomer women, contributed significantly to household income growth in previous generations, leaving less room for similar gains for millennial women.
- Wage growth has been concentrated among lower-income workers post-pandemic, while higher-income workers have seen declines, leading to discomfort among wealthier millennials.
- Millennials feel economic precarity due to rising costs of housing, healthcare, and education, despite cheaper consumer goods, and compare themselves unfavorably to the ultra-elite.
- Generational animosity towards baby boomers stems from perceived easier economic conditions, though every generation faces unique challenges.
- The hedonic treadmill effect means millennials' happiness from achieving milestones like homeownership is temporary, leading to ongoing dissatisfaction.
- Wage compression and rising costs for services (e.g., DoorDash, healthcare) create discomfort for higher-income millennials, even as lower-income workers benefit.