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A new survey by the American Psychological Association has shown that nearly two thirds of America's young people have thought about leaving the U.S. because of the state of the nation. It was also found that three-quarters of adults are feeling more stressed about the country's future than they used to be. "Many young adults are facing a combination of financial stress, political division, and uncertainty about the future," Dr. Lynn Bufka, the American Psychological Association's Head of Practice, told Newsweek. "They’ve come of age during a time marked by crises—a global pandemic, climate anxiety and economic challenges." Newsweek has contacted the White House via email for comment. Why It Matters Many Americans are confronted with not one, but many, major stressors at present. From huge increases in costs of health insurance and health care, to rising inflation, increasing energy, housing, and grocery costs, the Trump administration's mass deportations, issues with the job market, loneliness and many others, Americans appear to feeling less hopeful about the country's future. Adding to the stress already weighing down on Americans, the ongoing government shutdown has also meant that federal workers have been working without pay and vulnerable families may be missing out on crucial benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and home heating assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. What To Know The Stress in America 2025 survey, was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association, and more than 3,000 U.S. adults over the age of 18 were questioned online between August 4 to 24 this year. The findings revealed that young Americans, those aged between 18 to 34, seem to be feeling less happy about being in the U.S.—63 percent of them reported having considered relocating to another country because of "the state of the nation," while 53 percent of parents said the same. This is significantly higher than what was recorded in the association's survey last year, when 41 percent of American adults reported that the state of the nation had made them consider moving to a different country, with 39 percent considering moving state because of the "political environment" in the state they lived in. "While saying you’ve considered leaving and actually doing it are very different things, the fact that so many are thinking about it underscores how deeply these stresses are being felt," Bufka said. She added that early adulthood is "often a period of exploration and independence, when people are considering possibilities and imagining their futures." "This age group also tends to have more flexibility to make a move abroad, compared with older age groups who may have stronger financial, family or community ties," Bufka said. She added that the pandemic hit at "a crucial point in their lives" and for many young people that meant "disrupting education, career paths, and social development," and that they lost key opportunities to build connections and establish independence. "When these challenges combine with constant exposure to conflict and negativity on social media, it can amplify stress and hopelessness about where the country is headed," she said. The 2025 survey also showed that 76 percent of American adults are feeling more concerned about the future of the country than they did before—which is similar to how they felt just before the November election, according to the American Psychological Association. When it came to how Americans viewed the country today, the most commonly selected terms showed a mix of both positive and negative sentiment. "Freedom" was the most popular word, chosen by 41 percent of participants, followed by "corruption" (38 percent), "opportunity" (37 percent), "division" (36 percent),"'hope" (35 percent) and "fear" (32 percent). It is not clear from the survey exactly what could be behind why so many young Americans have thought about leaving the country, although financial concerns could be one of the many possible reasons. Research organization SSRS also shared the findings of its Economic Attitudes Tracker this month, which revealed many Americans—79 percent—feel that "politicians don't understand the economic reality I am living in," and that some participants felt growing distrust toward lawmakers and leaders. The tracker also found that the ongoing government shutdown has added to Americans' frustration—with participants reporting that it indicates "things aren't working." Another factor potentially affecting young people's sentiment toward America could be to do with issues relating to social division, as the survey showed that 62 percent of respondents report social division as being a "significant source of stress" in the their lives. Loneliness also continues to be an issue faced by many Americans, the American Psychological Association survey indicates, with 54 percent saying they have felt isolated from others, but it seems that social division may be at the bottom of this. The American Psychological Association said in its report that "the stress of living in a divided society may be amplifying emotional isolation, leaving many feeling more alone in their experiences." What People Are Saying Katie McLaughlin, director of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, and chair and professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, told Newsweek: "This finding is concerning but not surprising given the fact that young people are reporting high levels of stress about the state of the country and at the same time are feeling increasingly lonely and disconnected from others. Stressful experiences that are overwhelming and out of one’s control and social isolation are strongly linked to distress and risk for mental health problems, like depression and anxiety, that may be leading young people to consider leaving the country." She added: "Societal discord is a stressor that appears to be overwhelming many people’s capacity to cope. Decades of research have shown that social support and connection to others are among the most powerful factors that protect us from developing anxiety, depression, and health problems in the face of stress. It is critical that we invest in structures that can rebuild our trust and connections to others if we want young people to thrive." Dr. Lynn Bufka, the American Psychological Association's Head of Practice, told Newsweek: "There is a growing sense of disconnection in American society—from one another, from institutions, and from the sense of common purpose that many young people crave. Psychological science tells us that belonging and optimism are key to well-being. When this sense of belonging and trust erodes, whether in government, community, or social systems, people start to feel powerless and look for ways to regain control, even if that means imagining life in another country. She added: "Jobs and the economy are major sources of stress for many young people. When they can envision a stable and meaningful future with access to jobs and housing, it strengthens their sense of purpose and makes them feel that staying is worth it. Rebuilding trust in institutions, expanding civic engagement, and giving young people real voices in shaping policy can further restore a sense of agency and hope. And despite their concerns, most young adults are still optimistic: a strong majority of younger adults (79 percent) believe they can build a good life, even if it looks different from past generations." What Happens Next It is not clear how these trends will change going forward, but with ongoing financial uncertainty facing many Americans, it seems likely that stress about the nation's future could continue to affect many.
