A recent survey by the Pew Research Center reveals that 76 percent of Americans believe current economic conditions are either poor or fair, reflecting a slight increase from January 2024 when 72 percent held this view. In contrast, only 24 percent of respondents described the economy as good or excellent. n nThe primary reason cited for this pessimistic outlook is rising personal expenses, identified by 42 percent of participants. Additional concerns include high inflation at 17 percent, the overall cost of living at 9 percent, and increasing food and grocery prices at 6 percent. n nWhen asked about President Trump’s economic policies, 53 percent of respondents said they have worsened the economic situation. Meanwhile, 24 percent believe these policies have improved conditions, and 22 percent feel they’ve had little to no impact. n nLooking ahead, nearly half of those surveyed—46 percent—expect economic conditions to deteriorate by next year. According to the poll, this shift in sentiment is largely due to declining optimism among Republicans, despite the fact that Republicans remain more likely than Democrats to express positive views about the economy. n nAdditional polling data underscores public dissatisfaction. Marquette University Law School reported that President Trump’s approval rating has dipped to 43 percent, the lowest point of his second term. On the same day, a Washington Post survey found that 47 percent of Americans blame Trump and congressional Republicans for the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third day, compared to 33 percent who assign responsibility to Democrats. n nThe Pew Research Center conducted the survey between September 22 and 28, 2025, with a sample of 3,445 adults. The margin of error stands at plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. n— news from The Hill
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Most Americans rate the US economy poorly: Poll
Nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed say economic conditions are poor or fair, according to a poll from the Pew Research Center. n nThe number of respondents who said they feel this way, at 76 percent, is a few points higher than what the center found in January 2024. At that time, 72 percent held the view that conditions were fair or poor. n nConversely, Friday’s poll shows that 24 percent of respondents viewed economic conditions as being good or excellent. n nAmericans point to rising costs and personal expenses, at 42 percent, as why they view the economy poorly. This was followed by high inflation at 17 percent, cost of living at 9 percent, and food and grocery prices at 6 percent. n nMore than half of those surveyed, at 53 percent, told pollsters that President Trump’s economic policies have made conditions worse. But 22 percent said his policies have had hardly any effect, while 24 percent said he’s made economic conditions better. n nForty-six percent of those polled expect economic conditions to worsen by next year, Pew found. n n“These changes are primarily driven by decreasing optimism among Republicans – even as Republicans remain much more likely than Democrats to describe current economic conditions in positive terms,” pollsters said. n nPolling this week also showed low numbers for the president. His approval rating reached the lowest point of his second term, at 43 percent, according to Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee on Wednesday. n nThat same day, a Washington Post poll showed that 47 percent of Americans said they blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for the government shutdown, which entered its third day Friday. Blame toward Democrats in Congress was at 33 percent. n nThe Pew Research Center’s poll was conducted Sept. 22-28 and included 3,445 respondents. The margin of error is 1.9 percentage points.