Americans are Unhappy About the Economy and Reeling From High Prices, Polls Say Nearly three-quarters of Americans say the economy is getting worse, according to multiple polls released in the past week, reflecting growing pessimism about inflation and personal financial strain. Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the state of the national economy, blaming rising costs and presidential policies for their financial stress. As gas prices remain elevated and inflation continues to affect household budgets, confidence in economic conditions has declined sharply across party lines. Gallup found that 47% of Americans now describe current economic conditions as “poor,” an increase of 7 points from March. 73% believe the economy is getting worse — similarly up 7 points from last month. The Gallup Economic Confidence Index fell to -38 this month, down from -27 in March, marking its lowest level since November 2023. This index ranges from -100 (worst) to +100 (best), with negative values indicating more pessimism than optimism. A Fox News poll showed that 70% of registered voters feel the economy is getting worse, a 15-point increase from April 2025 and matching a record high last seen in 2023. While only 41% rated the economy as “poor,” far more Republicans than Democrats expressed positive views. However, even among Republicans — the only partisan group to rate the economy positively in the Gallup Index — confidence dropped 15 points between March and April, a steeper decline than among Democrats or independents. Inflation expectations are also rising. A Marquette Law School poll found that 7 in 10 Americans expect inflation to increase over the next 12 months, up 9 points from January. This growing anticipation of higher prices contributes to reduced spending and increased financial anxiety. Most voters attribute the economic downturn to presidential policies. The Fox News poll found that by a 2-to-1 margin, Americans believe President Donald Trump’s policies are hurting (56%) rather than helping (28%) the economy. This perception crosses demographic lines and underscores the political dimension of economic dissatisfaction. These trends reach amid broader concerns about affordability. Although inflation has cooled from the 9.1% peak reached in June 2022, many Americans continue to feel the pressure of rising costs for essentials like groceries, housing, and healthcare. Wage growth has not kept pace with price increases, leaving real wages stagnant or declining for many households. The combination of declining economic confidence, rising inflation expectations, and widespread blame on leadership signals deepening public concern about the direction of the U.S. Economy. As families adjust budgets and delay major purchases, the gap between economic perception and official indicators remains a defining feature of the current financial landscape.
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