Why The American Dream Became Unaffordable For The Middle Class

Posted on 10/29/2024
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As of June 2024, 65% of middle-class Americans say they are struggling financially and don’t expect their situation to improve for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, 72% of middle-income families say they are actively cutting back on non-essential expenses, with nearly half cutting back or pausing their savings entirely. So how has the middle-class life that’s idolized by so many American families become so unaffordable? And what role does policy play in solving it?

Chapters:
1:56 Housing
4:25 Child care
6:46 Health care
9:04 Politics

Produced by: Juhohn Lee
Animation: Jason Reginato
Supervising Producer: Lindsey Jacobson, Jeniece Pettitt
Additional Footage: Getty Images, ABC News, CBS News

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Why The American Dream Became Unaffordable For The Middle Class