A new survey reveals widespread economic pessimism among young Americans, with 81 percent of respondents aged 18-24 rating current economic conditions as either bad or terrible.

The Generation Lab survey, conducted April 26-29 among 546 young adults, found that 55 percent described the economy as bad while 29 percent characterized it as terrible. The findings highlight significant concerns about economic conditions among the demographic group entering the workforce.

Separately, new college graduates are significantly overestimating their potential starting salaries, according to a recent report. Graduates overestimate their initial earnings by nearly $24,000 on average, suggesting a disconnect between expectations and market realities for entry-level positions.

The pessimistic outlook among young adults contrasts with some positive indicators in the job market. Traders on the prediction platform Kalshi expect the April jobs report to show stronger employment numbers than economists have projected, indicating potential improvement in hiring conditions.

The survey results come as young Americans face challenges including student loan debt, housing costs, and inflation, factors that may be influencing their economic outlook despite certain positive employment trends. The gap between salary expectations and reality could further compound financial pressures for new graduates entering the job market.