About this research
This Pew Research Center analysis examines Americans’ views of national economic conditions, their concerns over economic issues and how Donald Trump’s policies are affecting the economy.
Why did we do this?
Pew Research Center conducts research to help the public, media and decision-makers understand important topics. We have studied Americans’ views of politics and major policy issues, including the economy, for decades.
Learn more about Pew Research Center.
How did we do this?
We surveyed 5,062 U.S. adults from September 28 to October 4, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.
Here are the survey questions used for this analysis, the detailed responses and the survey methodology.
A month out from this year’s congressional elections, the costs of many household essentials are a top economic concern for most Americans – much as they were four years ago on the eve of the last midterm election.
Public concern about the price of gas and energy, other essentials rises
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
Note: The items about the price of food and consumer goods and the price of gasoline and energy were not asked in July 2022.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Public concern about the price of gas and energy, other essentials rises
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
DatePrice of food and consumer goodsHow the stock market is doingCost of housingPeople who want to work being unable to find jobsPrice of gasoline and energy2022-07-04—316027—2022-10-1673326029692023-01-2475266030602023-04-0272246127—2024-01-2172186431512024-09-0274246940—2025-04-1367366141462025-09-2865196142452026-01-2666206245432026-07-1266186444602026-10-047321664874
Note: The items about the price of food and consumer goods and the price of gasoline and energy were not asked in July 2022.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Americans also have a glum view of national economic conditions: Just 21% say they are excellent or good, down from 28% at the start of the year. This is one of the lowest assessments of the economy in either of President Donald Trump’s two terms.
One of the biggest economic concerns of the public is about the price of gas and energy. Today, 74% of Americans say they are very concerned about this, up from 60% in July. In January – before the United States’ military conflict with Iran – 43% said they were very concerned about gas and energy prices.
Concern about gas prices is up across the political spectrum over this period, though it is higher among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (81% say they are very concerned) than among Republicans and Republican leaners (65%).
The new Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 U.S. adults, conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026, also finds wide majorities saying they are very concerned about the cost of:
Food and consumer goods (73%)
Healthcare (69%)
Housing (66%)
While concerns about the job market are not as widespread, they have also risen in recent months: 48% now say they are very concerned about people who want to work being unable to find jobs, up from 44% in July and substantially higher than the 29% who said this in October 2022.
Half of the public say they are very concerned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the economy.
In contrast, few Americans are very concerned about how the stock market is doing (21%).
Related: “With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms.”
Overall views of the economy
Americans’ economic ratings have ticked more negative over the last few months: Today, 21% describe economic conditions as excellent or good, while 37% say they are only fair and 42% say they are poor. In July, 24% said economic conditions were excellent or good.
Americans give the economy negative ratings, as Republicans’ positive ratings continue to slip
% who say economic conditions in the country today are excellent/good
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Americans give the economy negative ratings, as Republicans’ positive ratings continue to slip
% who say economic conditions in the country today are excellent/good
DateTotalRep/Lean RepDem/Lean Dem2016-11-083218462017-03-124137442018-10-075675442018-11-165974482019-08-045783372019-09-295675412020-01-195781392020-04-122337112020-06-22254692020-10-053357132020-11-173656192021-03-072325212021-04-293736392021-09-192616342022-01-172820362022-07-04135202022-10-16179262023-01-232112312023-04-021910282024-01-212813442024-05-192310372024-09-022510412025-02-022418302025-04-132336112025-09-282644102026-01-262849102026-07-122441102026-10-0421369
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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The near-term decline in ratings is driven by a shift in Republicans’ views.
Today, 36% of Republicans see the economy as in excellent or good shape, down from 41% in July. About a quarter of Republicans (23%) now say conditions are poor, up from 19% in July.
The share of Democrats who say the economy is excellent or good (9%) is largely unchanged since July, but the share who say conditions are poor has risen (56% now vs. 48% then).
Economic outlook
About a quarter of Americans (26%) say that they expect economic conditions will be better in a year, while roughly a third (34%) say conditions will be about the same and about four-in-ten (39%) expect them to worsen.
Republicans (41%) are more optimistic than Democrats (14%) about future conditions. Half of Democrats and a quarter of Republicans are pessimistic, saying things will get worse.
For trends on economic optimism, refer to Additional charts.
What has the impact of Trump’s economic policies been?
Most Americans see Donald Trump’s economic policies as hurting the economy:
65% say they have made things worse.
15% say they have not had much of an effect.
19% say his policies have made conditions better.
Republicans are now nearly as likely to say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy as helped it
% who say that since taking office, Donald Trump’s economic policies have made economic conditions …
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Republicans are now nearly as likely to say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy as helped it
% who say that since taking office, Donald Trump’s economic policies have made economic conditions …
DateGroupBetterWorseNot had much of an effectSep ’25Total245322Jan ’26Total285219Jul ’26Total206019Oct ’26Total196515Sep ’25Rep/Lean Rep471933Jan ’26Rep/Lean Rep571825Jul ’26Rep/Lean Rep422829Oct ’26Rep/Lean Rep393525Sep ’25Dem/Lean Dem38710Jan ’26Dem/Lean Dem38512Jul ’26Dem/Lean Dem2898Oct ’26Dem/Lean Dem3916
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Republicans are divided over the impact of Trump’s policies – a shift over the last year:
39% say Trump’s policies have made economic conditions better – down from 47% last fall and 57% in January.
35% say his policies have made things worse – up from 18% at the start of the year.
25% say his policies have not had much of an effect – the same share as in January.
Democrats continue to overwhelmingly see Trump’s policies as making economic conditions worse (91% say this today).
Views of tariff policies
By more than two-to-one, Americans see the administration’s tariff policies as having a more negative (56%) than positive effect (20%) on the country in the coming years. About two-in-ten (22%) say the impact will be mixed.
A majority of Americans say Trump’s tariff policies will have mostly negative impacts on the country
% who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be …
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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A majority of Americans say Trump’s tariff policies will have mostly negative impacts on the country
% who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be …
Mostly positiveAbout equally positive and negativeMostly negativeGroupingTotal2022561Rep/Lean Rep4034262Dem/Lean Dem512832
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Among Republicans
Four-in-ten Republicans say the tariffs will have a mostly positive impact (40%) on the country – down from 52% in August 2025 and 49% in January of this year.
About a quarter of Republicans (26%) now say the tariffs will be bad for the country – up from 21% last summer and 17% at the start of the year.
Roughly a third of Republicans (34%) continue to say the tariffs will have a mix of positive and negative consequences.
Among Democrats
Democrats overwhelmingly say Trump’s tariffs will have a negative impact on the country (83% say this). Their views are little changed since last year.
For trends on views of tariff policy, refer to Additional charts.
Partisan differences on economic concerns
Democrats express more concern than Republicans on most of the economic issues asked about on the survey, as they did in July and at the start of Trump’s second term.
Democrats are more concerned than Republicans about several economic issues
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Democrats are more concerned than Republicans about several economic issues
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
TopicTotalRep/Lean RepDem/Lean DemThe price of gasoline and energy746581The price of food and consumer goods736282Cost of healthcare695780Cost of housing665376Role of AI in the economy504257People who want to work being unable to find jobs483459How the stock market is doing211922
Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Even as there are wide partisan gaps in concerns about prices of gasoline, energy, food, consumer goods and healthcare, majorities in both parties say they are very concerned about these issues.
Democrats are also more concerned than Republicans about the role of AI in the economy and people who want to work being unable to find jobs.
Relatively few in either party say they are concerned about how the stock market is doing.
For full trends on economic concerns by party, refer to Additional charts.
Additional charts
Economic optimism remains lower than earlier in Trump’s second term
% who say they expect that economic conditions in this country will be __ a year from now
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Economic optimism remains lower than earlier in Trump’s second term
% who say they expect that economic conditions in this country will be __ a year from now
DateGroupBetterWorseAbout the same as nowFeb ’25Total403723Apr ’25Total364519Sep ’25Total294624Jan ’26Total313830Jul ’26Total233640Oct ’26Total263934Feb ’25Rep/Lean Rep73918Apr ’25Rep/Lean Rep651520Sep ’25Rep/Lean Rep551926Jan ’26Rep/Lean Rep571428Jul ’26Rep/Lean Rep421939Oct ’26Rep/Lean Rep412534Feb ’25Dem/Lean Dem106426Apr ’25Dem/Lean Dem87417Sep ’25Dem/Lean Dem67321Jan ’26Dem/Lean Dem86230Jul ’26Dem/Lean Dem75340Oct ’26Dem/Lean Dem145034
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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How the public’s economic concerns have shifted in recent years
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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How the public’s economic concerns have shifted in recent years
% who say they are very concerned about the following economic issues in the country today
DateTopicTotalRep/Lean RepDem/Lean Dem2021-09-19People who want to work being unable to find jobs29233412022-07-04People who want to work being unable to find jobs27262812022-10-16People who want to work being unable to find jobs29253312023-01-24People who want to work being unable to find jobs30253412023-04-02People who want to work being unable to find jobs27222912024-01-21People who want to work being unable to find jobs31303212024-09-02People who want to work being unable to find jobs40423812025-04-13People who want to work being unable to find jobs41285412025-09-28People who want to work being unable to find jobs42265712026-01-26People who want to work being unable to find jobs45325912026-07-12People who want to work being unable to find jobs44295712026-10-04People who want to work being unable to find jobs48345912022-07-04Cost of housing60596122022-10-16Cost of housing60576222023-01-24Cost of housing60556522023-04-02Cost of housing61586422024-01-21Cost of housing64636622024-09-02Cost of housing69726622025-04-13Cost of housing61517122025-09-28Cost of housing61517122026-01-26Cost of housing62547122026-07-12Cost of housing64527322026-10-06Cost of housing66537622022-10-16Price of gasoline and energy69805832023-01-24Price of gasoline and energy60724832024-01-21Price of gasoline and energy51644032025-04-13Price of gasoline and energy46405132025-09-28Price of gasoline and energy45365332026-01-26Price of gasoline and energy43404732026-07-12Price of gasoline and energy60496832026-10-06Price of gasoline and energy74658132022-10-16Price of food and consumer goods73816642023-01-24Price of food and consumer goods75816942023-04-02Price of food and consumer goods72786642024-01-21Price of food and consumer goods72826342024-09-02Price of food and consumer goods74856442025-04-13Price of food and consumer goods67577842025-09-28Price of food and consumer goods65527742026-01-26Price of food and consumer goods66557542026-07-12Price of food and consumer goods66557542026-10-06Price of food and consumer goods73628242022-07-04How the stock market is doing31412352022-10-16How the stock market is doing32432452023-01-24How the stock market is doing26342052023-04-02How the stock market is doing24311852024-01-21How the stock market is doing18231452024-09-02How the stock market is doing24311752025-04-13How the stock market is doing36244952025-09-28How the stock market is doing19152352026-01-26How the stock market is doing20202252026-07-12How the stock market is doing18181752026-10-06How the stock market is doing21192252026-01-26Cost of healthcare71618262026-07-12Cost of healthcare69587862026-10-06Cost of healthcare69578062026-07-12Role of AI in the economy49455372026-10-06Role of AI in the economy5042577
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Republicans have become less positive about Trump’s tariff policies
% who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be …
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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Republicans have become less positive about Trump’s tariff policies
% who say that the overall effect of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the country as a whole over the coming years will be …
DateGroupMostly positiveAbout equally positive and negativeMostly negativeAug ’25Total261955Jan ’26Total252351Oct ’26Total202256Aug ’25Rep/Lean Rep522721Jan ’26Rep/Lean Rep493417Oct ’26Rep/Lean Rep403426Aug ’25Dem/Lean Dem21187Jan ’26Dem/Lean Dem31284Oct ’26Dem/Lean Dem51283
Note: No answer responses are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026.
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