70% Of Americans Say Economy Getting Worse

Posted In: Economy

The Gallup News Service reported today that the perception that the U.S. economy is getting worse is now at a level not seen since 2001. In a Gallup Poll from June 11-14, 2007, 70% of Americans said that U.S. economic conditions are getting worse. The last time Gallup witnessed such negativity was in early September 2001, just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Since Gallup has been asking this question, the “getting worse” percentage has been at 70% only 4 times: twice in 1992, the September 2001 poll, and the current poll.

According to the Gallup Poll, 34% of Americans say national economic conditions are “excellent” or “good,” while 43% say “only fair” and 23% say “poor.” In 2007, perceptions of the economy were at their highest in January, when 52% of Americans said economic conditions were excellent or good. Since then, positive views have deteriorated. Poll results show that the greatest concerns for the public are oil prices, the overall state of the economy, and jobs. For the first time in 2007, a majority of Americans are negative about the job market, saying it’s a bad time to find a quality job.

Sphere: Related Content