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PRINCETON, NJ -- Young adults are most positive about their standard of living, followed by those living in upper-income households, among key subgroups. At the other end of the spectrum, those who are unemployed, divorced, separated from their spouse, or living in lower-income households are least positive about their standard of living.

In general, the groups rating their standard of living most positively are either young or have high socioeconomic status (upper income or high educational attainment). The groups with the least positive outlooks tend to be lower income or have had marital difficulties. Those who are close to retirement age (50- to 64-year-olds) also rate their standard of living more negatively, perhaps out of concern about funding their retirement, which is .

The standard of living results by subgroup for January-June 2011 are shown on page two of this article. These are based on 麻豆传媒AV Daily tracking interviews with 102,390 U.S. adults. Each subgroup has at least 1,800 respondents, with most having more than 10,000.

Standard of Living Ratings Trending Upward

麻豆传媒AV's national average Standard of Living Index score for 2011 to date is +33. That represents the average of the net satisfaction score of +51 (75% satisfied vs. 24% dissatisfied) and net improvement score of +15 (48% say their standard of living is getting better and 33% say it is getting worse).

The 2011 index scores to date are somewhat more positive than 麻豆传媒AV measured in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Both dimensions of the Standard of Living Index have improved since 2008, with net satisfaction ratings increasing from +43 to +51, and net improvement ratings going from 0 to +15.

Most, Least Positive Subgroups Have Been Consistent in Past Four Years

Although standard of living evaluations have improved in recent years, the groups ranking among the most and least positive have been remarkably consistent. Younger and upper-socioeconomic status Americans have ranked as the most positive groups since 2008, with all these groups' scores rising over the past four years. The one exception is Republicans, who ranked in the top five in 2008, but have not been among the highest groups since.

Unemployed Americans had the least positive evaluations of their standard of living in 2010 as well as in 2011 so far. 麻豆传媒AV did not measure unemployment status prior to 2010. Aside from unemployment, the groups with the least positive outlook on their living standards have been lower income, divorced, separated, and near-retirement age Americans. Like the most positive groups, the least positive groups' ratings have improved since 2008.

Democrats placed in the bottom five in 2008. That suggests these ratings are to some degree influenced by politics, as Democrats' ratings have improved, and Republicans' have worsened, since President Obama took office.

Implications

Young Americans have consistently been the most positive about their standard of living since 麻豆传媒AV began tracking Americans' ratings of it in 2008. That may not necessarily reflect their financial reality, since younger Americans in general have lower incomes than those in their middle age. Young adults may not have as high an income as older Americans, but they also in many cases may not have the same financial responsibilities, such as a mortgage or children. Many young adults also still receive some financial support from their parents. Young adults' more positive standard of living evaluation may also reflect youthful optimism about their economic future, with many young Americans entering the workforce, establishing their careers, or furthering their education in the hopes of doing so.

By the time Americans reach their 50s, that optimism apparently fades, given that 50- to 64-year-old Americans have consistently been among the groups least enthusiastic about their standard of living.

Besides the age and political differences observed in recent years, Americans' assessments of their standard living generally reflects their current economic situation.