Gallup and Operation HOPE Partnership Issues Findings for 2013 Gallup-HOPE Index

Survey reveals that minorities and younger students are more entrepreneurially inclined, and overall four in 10 U.S. students express plans to start a business

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Global financial dignity leader, Operation HOPE announced today highlights from the 2013 Gallup-HOPE Index (GHI), a joint project focused on encouraging entrepreneurial development among youth and measuring their economic energy. The findings show that almost half of all racial and ethnic minority students say they plan to start their own business, while older students were found less likely than younger ones to have entrepreneurial intentions.  (Read the full study here.)

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The results are based on a telephone survey conducted October 18-30, 2013 with a nationally representative sample of 1,009 U.S. students in grades 5-12. (Video Exclusive: Executive Director for Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed explains survey.)

"Each year the findings from the Gallup-HOPE Index help us to identify gaps in the entrepreneurial attitudes of America's youth, and provide solutions," said John Hope Bryant founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. "Through our project, we aim to better guide our youth on how to turn aspiration, to perspiration, to success. By fostering entrepreneurship in students today, we are creating better opportunity for more jobs tomorrow – the root of a healthy economy."

Overall, four in 10 U.S. students express plans to start a business. Slightly fewer (38%) say they will invent "something that changes the world." The interest from students to "start their own business" has dropped from 45% in 2011 to 42% in 2013. Their belief that they will 'invent something world-changing' also declined in 2013 to 38% after holding steady in 2011 and 2012 at 42%. (Gallup Economy news 1-13-2013.)

Initiated in 2011, the GHI is part of Gallup's 100 year commitment with Operation HOPE to assess the attitudes and behaviors often ascribed to entrepreneurs and to provide government and business leaders with data about student sentiment nationwide. The study aims to inform educational programs and become a resource to help students become meaningful participants in the nation's economy. 

"Gallup's partnership with Operation HOPE is a significant collaboration focused on increasing our understanding of the entrepreneurial energy among America's youth, and further highlights the need for our nation to nurture 'cultures of entrepreneurship' that positively affect future GDP and Job Growth," said Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup.

About Gallup
Gallup delivers forward-thinking research, analytics, and advice to help leaders solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 75 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of the world's constituents, employees, and customers than any other organization. Gallup experts work with leaders in education to hire and develop talented educators, identify the strengths of each individual student, and create engaging learning environments — fostering long-term student success in the classroom and in future careers. The best educators know that for students to achieve meaningful, lasting success in the classroom and beyond, they must be emotionally engaged in the educational experience. This means educators must focus on students' hope, engagement, and well-being — the predictors Gallup has discovered matter the most. Measuring and moving the needle on these outcomes transforms educational institutions into places where students — and educators — thrive. For more information, visit education.gallup.com, follow @GallupEducation, or contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit www.gallup.com.

About Operation HOPE 
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Operation HOPE promotes financial dignity through financial literacy and education tools to underserved communities. Through its four core portfolios, the organization has provided youth and adult financial literacy, economic preparedness, digital empowerment, promoted home ownership, and assisted with foreclosure prevention to more than 2 million individuals, families, and small business owners. HOPE's next phase will be focused on Project 5117, a multi-year initiative that will track and increase business role models for youth, boost credit scores for adults, and empower underserved communities. To learn how you can join Project 5117, go to www.operationhope.org/p5117mission or visit www.operationhope.org to learn more.

SOURCE Operation HOPE