Doomed to be disappointed?

Rowland Manthorpe reports

Earlier this year, NatWest surveyed 9,000 young people about their salary expectations. The gloomy economic forecasts seem to have influenced the respondents, because their expected average earnings fell from last year’s estimate. Instead of saying they would be earning £70,000 by the time they were 35, they modestly anticipated £45,000. It is a startling display of confidence. The average salary for a 35-year old is £23,893. (RSA Journal, Autumn 2009)

Although very striking, I don’t find this result that surprising because when you look at the media’s coverage of issues such as property and holidays it’s very easy to get the idea that a normal, moderately successful person actually earns far more than the reality.