Trey Taulbee

The Millennial generation is more optimistic about “the good life” than those before them, according to a Pew Research Report published in 2010.

The report, which surveyed 830 millennials (ages 16-30), states that 88 percent of Millennials expect “to earn enough in the future to live the good life.” This is in comparison to 76 percent of Generation X and 46 percent of Baby Boomers.

According to NY Times, unemployment rates sit at 14 percent for 18-29 year olds. Yet, Pew Research concludes that 65 percent of 18-29 year olds who are not currently in school plan to go back eventually.

While economic recession is decreasing job opportunity, Millennials remain optimistic about the opportunities available. According to Huffington Post writer Jermaine Spradley, “we have more access to information, a deeper and more ingrained attachment to technology, and more education than any generation our country and world has ever known.”

An older study conducted in 2008 by Pew Research showed 39.6 percent of 18-24 year olds enrolled in a 2-4 year college, the highest rate of all time.