Asian Americans report higher levels of anxiety than any other racial group in the United States, according to a new survey. The findings come six years after the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave of anti-Asian violence.
Roughly 44% of Asian Americans say they feel worried about life right now, per the STAATUS Index (Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S.) released Friday. They are the only demographic where worry (44%) surpasses hope (40%), the wide survey of all U.S. adults found.
The survey underscores a fragile lived reality beneath a perception of success. The public places Asian Americans near the top of the nation's "social ladder," yet the group reports heightened anxiety, discrimination, and policy concerns.
Federal policies on immigration, trade, and visas are increasingly shaping attitudes toward Asian Americans. The findings also show 66% of Asian Americans support DEI programs—the highest of any racial group, compared to 48% overall.
Critics may argue the survey risks overgeneralizing a highly diverse population—encompassing dozens of ethnicities with vastly different experiences—into a single narrative of collective anxiety.