Americans Fear Job Market Worsening Despite Low Unemployment

Tue Mar 24 2026 05:51:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Recent Gallup survey reveals growing pessimism among American workers about job prospects. Young adults, in particular, express heightened concern as hiring rates lag, leading to a mismatch between job availability and serious seekers.

A Gallup survey indicates a significant decline in American workers' confidence in the job market, with only 28% believing it is currently a good time to find quality employment. This marked pessimism is especially prevalent among college graduates and younger workers. As hiring rates reach their lowest in a decade, many are left questioning the stability and future of employment opportunities in the U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A startling rise in pessimism regarding the job market has been noted among Americans, despite a low unemployment rate. A recent Gallup survey shows only 28% of workers consider it a good time to find a quality job; contrasting sharply with 70% who felt optimistic just a year earlier.

In a continuation of this trend, younger workers, particularly those aged 18-34, are expressing increased anxiety over job prospects, with merely 20% reporting confidence in their ability to secure employment. Conversely, 40% of workers aged 65 and above view the market more favorably.

The survey underscores a dramatic shift in attitudes, reinforced by a stagnation in hiring, especially within white-collar professions. College graduates report the lowest level of optimism about employment since 2013, with only 19% believing it's a favorable time to look for jobs.

The job landscape shows high stability in layoffs—companies are retaining staff—but the rate of hiring has drastically decreased. The hiring rate is now reported at just 3.2%, the lowest in over a decade. This stagnation could make it increasingly difficult for new job seekers to enter the market.

Overall, Americans are expressing broadly negative views about the economy, echoed in various metrics, including consumer confidence hitting near-pandemic lows.

Gallup’s survey was conducted from October 30 to November 13, 2025, capturing sentiments from 22,368 U.S. adults, with a sampling margin of plus or minus 1.0 percentage points.