Despite a full year passing since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, the American public remains largely pessimistic about the nation’s financial health. A comprehensive new survey from the Pew Research Center, involving 8,512 adults, reveals that roughly seven-in-ten Americans (72%) rate current economic conditions as “only fair” or “poor”. This sentiment continues a six-year trend of negative economic views. Many households still feel the sting of the post-pandemic era.
While overall positivity has ticked up slightly to 28%—a small rise from 23% last April—these figures remain significantly lower than the levels recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Deepening Partisan Divide
The most striking finding in the data is the widening gap between political parties regarding the country’s trajectory. Nearly all the recent improvement in economic sentiment has occurred among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.
• Republican Optimism: Currently, 49% of Republicans view the economy positively, marking the highest level of confidence seen during Trump’s second term. Furthermore, 57% of Republicans believe Trump’s specific policies have directly improved the economy.
• Democratic Skepticism: In contrast, only 10% of Democrats rate the economy as excellent or good. An overwhelming 85% of Democrats argue that the administration’s policies have made national economic conditions worse.
Top Household Concerns: Health Care and Food Prices
When Americans look at their own bank accounts, their fears are concentrated on the rising cost of living rather than macro-level indicators like the stock market. Health care costs remain the most pressing issue, with 71% of adults reporting they are “very concerned” about medical expenses.
The price of daily essentials also weighs heavily on the public consciousness. The survey found that 66% of adults are deeply worried about the cost of food and consumer goods, while 62% expressed high levels of concern regarding the housing market. Interestingly, only 20% of respondents expressed significant concern about the stock market, and fewer than half (45%) were worried about the availability of jobs.
What Does the Future Hold?
The outlook for the coming year is equally fractured along party lines. Overall, 38% of Americans expect the economy to be in a worse state a year from now, compared to 31% who anticipate improvement.
Republicans remain the primary drivers of optimism, with 57% expecting better conditions by next year. Conversely, 62% of Democrats believe the situation will deteriorate further. This divided outlook suggests that while the “Trump economy” is gaining traction with his base, it has yet to convince a majority of the broader American public.
Q&A: Breaking Down the Economic Sentiment
Q: How many Americans think the economy is doing well?
Only about 28% of U.S. adults rate the economy as excellent or good. The vast majority (72%) view it as fair or poor.
Q: Which political group is most satisfied with President Trump’s policies?
Republicans are the most satisfied, with 57% stating that the President’s economic policies have made the country better.
Q: What is the biggest economic fear for the average American?
High costs are the primary fear. 71% of people are very concerned about the price of health care. Concern about food and consumer goods follows closely at 66%. Housing is a concern for 62% of people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When was this survey conducted?
The Pew Research Center conducted this study between January 20 and January 26, surveying over 8,500 U.S. adults.
Q: Is economic sentiment better or worse than it was under the previous administration? Positivity has risen slightly since April last year. However, current views are still significantly lower than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Q: Are Americans worried about losing their jobs?
Job availability is a secondary concern compared to prices. Only 45% of adults are “very concerned” about finding work, whereas concerns over the cost of living are much higher.
Q: How do Americans view the price of petrol (gasoline)?
About 34% of adults say they are very concerned about the price of gasoline. This concern is lower than the concern for electricity (51%) or food (66%).
