GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup's Dec. 19-22 economic survey finds consumer confidence holding at the same improved level as was recorded earlier in December. This builds on previous gains in November, and continues to represent significant improvement over the low readings in September and October that some have attributed to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. While several national consumer confidence surveys (including Gallup's) posted gains earlier in December, Gallup's latest update suggests this recovery in confidence was sustained through the Christmas holiday shopping period.
Despite the recent improvement in Americans' assessment of the nation's economy, this assessment remains mediocre on its face and is far less optimistic than was seen under the strong economy of five and six years ago. In the latest poll, only 39% of Americans choose the positive categories of either "excellent" or "good" when given four options for rating current economic conditions. The majority (61%) chooses one of the lower two categories, calling the economy "only fair" or "poor." Similarly, just 37% believe economic conditions are improving, while 56% say they are getting worse.
An index of these two economic questions puts consumer spirits at 76 points, out of a possible score of 200. To achieve that maximum score, 100% of Americans would have to call the economy "excellent" or "good" and perceive it to be "getting better." The more realistic high point is probably closer to the 140 that Gallup recorded in January 2000. The lowest level of confidence Gallup has recorded -- 34 points -- was from the first survey in which these two questions were asked, in January 1992.
The mid-December reading of 76 points is identical to that from Gallup's Dec. 5-8 poll. This is up from 62 points in early November and from 52 points in early October. The figure was 56 in Gallup's first post-Katrina economic survey in mid-September -- down only slightly from the previous measure of 62 in late August, but down significantly from 72 points in early August.
Current Ratings About Par for Bush
The current index score of 76 is slightly above the 71 average seen for President George W. Bush's tenure in office. Thus far in Bush's presidency, consumer spirits have been lowest in the first quarter of 2003 (45 in March) and highest at the end of 2003 (97 in December).
As the full trend in Gallup's index indicates, the range of consumer spirits under Bush has been fairly narrow, and tending toward the lower part of the historical range. The Bush-era low of 45 comes close to the historical low of 34 recorded in January 1992, while the Bush-era high of 97 is a long way from the peak of 140 reached in January 2000.
Recent Economic Perceptions Moving in Tandem
The initial decline and recent improvement observed in consumer confidence since August are seen equally in Americans' perceptions of current economic conditions (the "excellent/good" rating), and in their outlook for the economy (those saying it is "getting better"). Perceptions on both measures are now fully restored to early August levels.
Gas Prices a Commanding Factor
As Gallup's frequent economic measurements indicate, the weakness in consumer sentiment seen in September and October really began in late August, prior to the Katrina event (the hurricane made landfall south of New Orleans on Aug. 29). Several aspects of the news surrounding Katrina may have deepened or prolonged Americans' negative perceptions about the economy; however, it appears that increased gas prices at the pump prior to Katrina may have sparked the early fall slump in confidence.
Between July and August, the percentage of Americans naming gas prices as the "most important economic problem facing the country today" jumped from 14% to 34%. This fell to 25% in late September, and remained at about the same level (24%) in late October. Then in November, at the same time that overall perceptions about the economy improved, the percentage mentioning gas prices dropped by nearly half (to 14%), and has remained at the lower level in December (16%).
Over the same period, there have been no major changes in the percentages of the other top five economic problems named on this list.
What is the most important economic problem facing the country today?
|
Dec |
Nov |
Oct |
Sep |
Aug |
Jul |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
Unemployment/Jobs/Wages |
16 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
19 |
|
Fuel/oil prices |
16 |
14 |
24 |
25 |
34 |
14 |
|
Healthcare/Health insurance costs |
10 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
War in Iraq |
8 |
13 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
|
Federal budget deficit |
7 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
Despite much publicity about the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the nation's employment picture, particularly in the Gulf states, Gallup shows little change between August and today in Americans' perceptions about the job market. From late August through October, the percentage saying that now is a good time to get a quality job fluctuated in a fairly narrow range between 35% and 38%. That figure is now 40%.
Survey Methods
These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,004 adults, aged 18 and older, conducted Dec. 19-22, 2005. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is ±3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
5. How would you rate economic conditions in this country today -- as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?
|
|
Excellent |
Good |
Only |
Poor |
No |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Dec 19-22 |
6 |
33 |
39 |
22 |
* |
|
2005 Dec 5-8 |
6 |
31 |
43 |
20 |
* |
|
2005 Nov 17-20 |
5 |
32 |
39 |
24 |
* |
|
2005 Nov 7-10 |
3 |
29 |
47 |
21 |
* |
|
2005 Oct 24-26 |
3 |
26 |
45 |
25 |
1 |
|
2005 Oct 13-16 |
3 |
25 |
46 |
26 |
* |
|
2005 Sep 26-28 |
3 |
28 |
41 |
27 |
1 |
|
2005 Sep 12-15 |
3 |
28 |
44 |
25 |
* |
|
2005 Aug 22-25 |
4 |
30 |
42 |
24 |
* |
|
2005 Aug 8-11 |
4 |
32 |
46 |
18 |
* |
|
2005 Jul 25-28 |
4 |
28 |
44 |
23 |
1 |
|
2005 Jul 7-10 |
3 |
33 |
45 |
18 |
1 |
|
2005 Jun 16-19 |
4 |
33 |
40 |
23 |
* |
|
2005 Jun 6-8 |
4 |
31 |
45 |
20 |
* |
|
2005 May 23-26 |
3 |
37 |
41 |
19 |
* |
|
2005 May 2-5 |
1 |
30 |
44 |
25 |
* |
|
2005 Apr 18-21 |
2 |
29 |
44 |
24 |
1 |
|
2005 Apr 4-7 |
3 |
29 |
49 |
18 |
1 |
|
2005 Mar 21-23 |
2 |
30 |
43 |
24 |
1 |
|
2005 Mar 7-10 |
3 |
32 |
48 |
16 |
1 |
|
2005 Feb 21-24 |
5 |
33 |
42 |
20 |
* |
|
2005 Feb 7-10 |
3 |
37 |
44 |
16 |
* |
|
2005 Jan 3-5 |
3 |
38 |
42 |
17 |
* |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Dec 5-8 |
2 |
35 |
43 |
19 |
1 |
|
2004 Nov 7-10 |
3 |
33 |
44 |
20 |
* |
|
2004 Oct 11-14 |
2 |
32 |
44 |
22 |
* |
|
2004 Oct 9-10 |
4 |
31 |
40 |
24 |
1 |
|
2004 Sep 13-15 |
3 |
36 |
39 |
22 |
* |
|
2004 Aug 9-11 |
3 |
36 |
40 |
21 |
* |
|
2004 Jul 30-Aug 1 |
6 |
32 |
39 |
23 |
* |
|
2004 Jul 8-11 |
5 |
32 |
41 |
21 |
1 |
|
2004 Jun 3-6 |
3 |
32 |
44 |
21 |
* |
|
2004 May 2-4 |
2 |
27 |
43 |
27 |
1 |
|
2004 Apr 5-8 |
3 |
31 |
44 |
22 |
* |
|
2004 Mar 8-11 |
2 |
30 |
44 |
24 |
* |
|
2004 Feb 9-12 |
2 |
31 |
46 |
21 |
-- |
|
2004 Jan 12-15 |
3 |
34 |
42 |
21 |
-- |
|
2004 Jan 2-5 |
3 |
40 |
41 |
16 |
* |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 Dec 11-14 |
3 |
34 |
44 |
19 |
* |
|
2003 Nov 3-5 |
2 |
28 |
49 |
21 |
* |
|
2003 Oct 24-26 |
2 |
24 |
44 |
30 |
* |
|
2003 Oct 6-8 |
2 |
20 |
50 |
27 |
1 |
|
2003 Sep 8-10 |
1 |
20 |
49 |
30 |
* |
|
2003 Aug 4-6 |
1 |
24 |
52 |
23 |
* |
|
2003 Jul 7-9 |
1 |
23 |
50 |
26 |
* |
|
2003 Jun 12-15 |
1 |
25 |
49 |
25 |
* |
|
2003 May 19-21 |
1 |
20 |
47 |
31 |
1 |
|
2003 May 5-7 |
1 |
21 |
50 |
28 |
* |
|
2003 Apr 7-9 |
2 |
25 |
51 |
22 |
* |
|
2003 Mar 29-30 |
1 |
25 |
51 |
23 |
* |
|
2003 Mar 24-25 |
3 |
30 |
47 |
20 |
-- |
|
2003 Mar 3-5 |
1 |
21 |
46 |
32 |
* |
|
2003 Feb 17-19 |
1 |
17 |
48 |
34 |
* |
|
2003 Feb 3-6 |
2 |
20 |
53 |
25 |
* |
|
2003 Jan 20-22 |
1 |
19 |
49 |
31 |
* |
|
2003 Jan 13-16 |
2 |
20 |
50 |
28 |
* |
|
2002 |
|||||
|
2002 Dec 19-22 |
1 |
23 |
48 |
28 |
* |
|
2002 Dec 5-8 |
2 |
23 |
51 |
24 |
* |
|
2002 Nov 22-24 |
2 |
30 |
45 |
23 |
* |
|
2002 Oct 31-Nov 3 |
2 |
26 |
45 |
26 |
1 |
|
2002 Oct 3-6 |
2 |
24 |
46 |
27 |
1 |
|
2002 Sep 23-26 |
2 |
25 |
47 |
25 |
1 |
|
2002 Sep 5-8 |
2 |
22 |
53 |
23 |
* |
|
2002 Aug 19-21 |
1 |
23 |
47 |
28 |
1 |
|
2002 Aug 5-8 |
1 |
27 |
52 |
19 |
1 |
|
2002 Jul 29-31 |
2 |
27 |
48 |
22 |
1 |
|
2002 Jul 22-24 |
2 |
25 |
48 |
24 |
1 |
|
2002 Jul 9-11 |
2 |
26 |
51 |
20 |
1 |
|
2002 Jun 17-19 |
2 |
35 |
43 |
19 |
1 |
|
2002 Jun 3-6 |
3 |
33 |
49 |
14 |
1 |
|
2002 May 20-22 |
3 |
38 |
46 |
12 |
1 |
|
2002 May 6-9 |
2 |
33 |
51 |
14 |
* |
|
2002 Apr 22-24 |
2 |
37 |
46 |
14 |
1 |
|
2002 Apr 8-11 |
2 |
36 |
51 |
11 |
* |
|
2002 Mar 4-7 |
3 |
31 |
51 |
14 |
1 |
|
2002 Feb 4-6 |
2 |
26 |
55 |
16 |
1 |
|
2002 Jan 7-9 |
2 |
27 |
54 |
16 |
1 |
|
2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Dec 6-9 |
2 |
29 |
53 |
16 |
* |
|
2001 Nov 8-11 |
2 |
29 |
50 |
19 |
* |
|
2001 Oct 11-14 |
2 |
36 |
48 |
13 |
1 |
|
2001 Sep 14-15 |
3 |
43 |
44 |
9 |
1 |
|
2001 Sep 7-10 |
2 |
30 |
49 |
19 |
* |
|
2001 Aug 16-19 |
2 |
34 |
49 |
14 |
1 |
|
2001 Jul 19-22 |
3 |
38 |
47 |
11 |
1 |
|
2001 Jun 11-17 |
3 |
39 |
45 |
12 |
1 |
|
2001 May 10-14 |
3 |
37 |
45 |
15 |
* |
|
2001 Apr 6-8 |
4 |
41 |
41 |
14 |
* |
|
2001 Mar 5-7 |
3 |
43 |
43 |
10 |
1 |
|
2001 Feb 1-4 |
7 |
44 |
36 |
13 |
* |
|
2001 Jan 10-14 |
11 |
56 |
27 |
6 |
* |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 Dec 2-4 |
12 |
51 |
28 |
8 |
1 |
|
2000 Nov 13-15 |
19 |
53 |
21 |
7 |
* |
|
2000 Oct 6-9 |
14 |
57 |
24 |
4 |
1 |
|
2000 Aug 18-19 |
25 |
49 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
|
2000 Jul 25-26 |
26 |
48 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
|
2000 May 18-21 |
17 |
49 |
24 |
9 |
1 |
|
2000 Apr 3-9 |
14 |
46 |
30 |
9 |
1 |
|
2000 Jan 7-10 |
19 |
52 |
23 |
5 |
1 |
|
1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1999 Oct 21-24 |
16 |
49 |
27 |
8 |
* |
|
1999 Sep 10-14 |
20 |
47 |
24 |
8 |
1 |
|
1999 Aug 24-26 |
14 |
50 |
28 |
7 |
1 |
|
1999 Jun 4-5 |
18 |
56 |
21 |
5 |
* |
|
1999 Jan 15-17 |
14 |
55 |
27 |
4 |
* |
|
1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 Dec 4-6 |
13 |
52 |
27 |
8 |
* |
|
1998 Oct 29-Nov 1 |
13 |
53 |
27 |
6 |
1 |
|
1998 Sep 1 |
11 |
54 |
25 |
9 |
1 |
|
1998 Mar 20-22 |
20 |
46 |
27 |
7 |
* |
|
1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1997 Dec 18-21 |
7 |
41 |
38 |
12 |
2 |
|
1997 Nov 6-9 |
10 |
48 |
33 |
9 |
* |
|
1997 Aug 22-25^ |
8 |
41 |
38 |
13 |
* |
|
1997 May 6-7 |
7 |
39 |
38 |
15 |
1 |
|
1997 Jan 31-Feb 2 |
4 |
38 |
43 |
15 |
* |
|
1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1996 Oct 26-29 |
5 |
42 |
39 |
13 |
1 |
|
1996 Aug 30-Sep 1 † |
3 |
34 |
46 |
16 |
1 |
|
1996 Jul 18-21 |
5 |
38 |
43 |
14 |
* |
|
1996 May 9-12 |
3 |
27 |
50 |
19 |
1 |
|
1996 Apr 9-10 |
1 |
26 |
52 |
20 |
1 |
|
1996 Mar 15-17 |
2 |
31 |
48 |
18 |
1 |
|
1996 Jan 5-7 |
1 |
28 |
47 |
23 |
1 |
|
1995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1995 Nov 6-8 |
2 |
28 |
47 |
22 |
1 |
|
1995 May 11-14 |
2 |
27 |
50 |
20 |
1 |
|
1994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1994 Dec 16-18 |
2 |
25 |
52 |
21 |
* |
|
1994 Nov 2-6 |
2 |
28 |
49 |
20 |
1 |
|
1994 Oct 22-25 |
1 |
25 |
52 |
21 |
1 |
|
1994 Jul 15-17 |
1 |
26 |
52 |
21 |
* |
|
1994 Apr 22-24 |
1 |
23 |
49 |
26 |
1 |
|
1994 Jan 15-17 |
* |
22 |
54 |
24 |
* |
|
1993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1993 Dec 4-6 |
1 |
20 |
57 |
21 |
1 |
|
1993 Nov 2-4 |
1 |
16 |
50 |
33 |
* |
|
1993 Aug 8-10 |
* |
10 |
49 |
40 |
1 |
|
1993 Jun 29-30 |
1 |
14 |
52 |
32 |
1 |
|
1993 Feb 12-14 |
* |
14 |
46 |
39 |
1 |
|
1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1992 Dec 18-20 |
2 |
16 |
34 |
47 |
1 |
|
1992 Dec 4-6 |
1 |
14 |
41 |
43 |
1 |
|
1992 Oct 23-25 |
* |
11 |
45 |
43 |
1 |
|
1992 Sep 11-15 |
1 |
10 |
37 |
51 |
1 |
|
1992 Aug 31-Sep 2 † |
1 |
9 |
37 |
53 |
* |
|
1992 Jun 12-14 † |
1 |
11 |
47 |
41 |
* |
|
1992 Apr 9-12 † |
1 |
11 |
40 |
48 |
* |
|
1992 Jan 3-6 |
* |
12 |
46 |
41 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Less than 0.5% |
|||||
|
^ Asked of half sample |
|||||
|
† Asked of registered voters |
|||||
6. Right now, do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?
|
Getting |
Getting |
SAME |
No |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2005 Dec 19-22 |
37 |
56 |
5 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Dec 5-8 |
39 |
50 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Nov 17-20 |
36 |
58 |
5 |
1 |
|
(NA) 2005 Nov 7-10 |
30 |
61 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Oct 24-26 |
25 |
66 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Oct 13-16 |
24 |
68 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Sep 26-28 |
24 |
66 |
7 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Sep 12-15 |
25 |
66 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Aug 22-25 |
28 |
63 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Aug 8-11 |
36 |
52 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Jul 25-28 |
35 |
53 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Jul 7-10 |
35 |
54 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Jun 16-19 |
35 |
57 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Jun 6-8 |
35 |
55 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 May 23-26 |
41 |
52 |
5 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 May 2-5 |
32 |
61 |
6 |
1 |
|
(NA) 2005 Apr 18-21 |
31 |
61 |
5 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Apr 4-7 |
35 |
56 |
6 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Mar 21-23 |
33 |
59 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Mar 7-10 |
41 |
50 |
6 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2005 Feb 21-24 |
43 |
48 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Feb 7-10 |
47 |
44 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2005 Jan 3-5 |
48 |
42 |
7 |
3 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2004 Dec 5-8 |
47 |
42 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2004 Nov 7-10 |
49 |
43 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Oct 11-14 |
39 |
50 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2004 Oct 9-10 |
43 |
48 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Sep 13-15 |
47 |
45 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Aug 9-11 |
45 |
46 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Jul 30-Aug 1 |
48 |
43 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Jul 8-11 |
51 |
38 |
7 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2004 Jun 3-6 |
47 |
45 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 May 2-4 |
43 |
51 |
4 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Apr 5-8 |
47 |
45 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Mar 8-11 |
44 |
47 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Feb 9-12 |
53 |
40 |
6 |
1 |
|
(NA) 2004 Jan 12-15 |
53 |
39 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2004 Jan 2-5 |
66 |
27 |
4 |
3 |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2003 Dec 11-14 |
60 |
32 |
7 |
1 |
|
(NA) 2003 Nov 3-5 |
53 |
37 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Oct 24-26 |
47 |
43 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Oct 6-8 |
45 |
46 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Sep 8-10 |
40 |
50 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Aug 4-6 |
44 |
45 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Jul 7-9 |
43 |
47 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Jun 12-15 |
45 |
43 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 May 19-21 |
40 |
48 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 May 5-7 |
42 |
51 |
5 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Apr 7-9 |
36 |
51 |
11 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Mar 29-30 |
33 |
56 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Mar 24-25 |
39 |
47 |
11 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2003 Mar 3-5 |
23 |
67 |
7 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2003 Feb 17-19 |
26 |
63 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Feb 3-6 |
27 |
60 |
11 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Jan 20-22 |
29 |
57 |
12 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2003 Jan 13-16 |
34 |
54 |
10 |
2 |
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2002 Dec 19-22 |
35 |
50 |
12 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Dec 5-8 |
35 |
54 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Nov 22-24 |
38 |
53 |
8 |
1 |
|
(NA) 2002 Oct 31-Nov 3 |
37 |
51 |
8 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2002 Oct 3-6 |
30 |
59 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Sep 23-26 |
33 |
52 |
10 |
5 |
|
(NA) 2002 Sep 5-8 |
35 |
54 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Aug 19-21 |
38 |
48 |
10 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2002 Aug 5-8 |
32 |
55 |
9 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jul 29-31 |
42 |
47 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jul 22-24 |
27 |
59 |
10 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jul 9-11 |
31 |
57 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jun 17-19 |
47 |
40 |
10 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jun 3-6 |
48 |
38 |
11 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 May 20-22 |
49 |
34 |
14 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 May 6-9 |
52 |
39 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Apr 22-24 |
53 |
35 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Apr 8-11 |
53 |
37 |
7 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2002 Mar 4-7 |
54 |
37 |
7 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Feb 4-6 |
41 |
47 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2002 Jan 7-9 |
49 |
41 |
8 |
2 |
|
2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2001 Dec 6-9 |
44 |
48 |
6 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2001 Nov 8-11 |
30 |
59 |
7 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2001 Oct 11-14 |
33 |
55 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2001 Sep 14-15 |
28 |
60 |
8 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2001 Sep 7-10 |
19 |
70 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2001 Aug 16-19 |
27 |
59 |
11 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2001 Jul 19-22 |
35 |
53 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2001 Jun 11-17 |
29 |
60 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2001 May 10-14 |
25 |
63 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2001 Apr 6-8 |
24 |
63 |
9 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2001 Mar 5-7 |
28 |
61 |
7 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2001 Feb 1-4 |
23 |
66 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2001 Jan 10-14 |
32 |
56 |
8 |
4 |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2000 Dec 2-4 |
39 |
48 |
8 |
5 |
|
(NA) 2000 Nov 13-15 |
50 |
38 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 2000 Oct 6-9 |
54 |
34 |
10 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2000 Aug 18-19 |
60 |
26 |
10 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2000 Jul 25-26 |
58 |
29 |
9 |
4 |
|
(NA) 2000 May 18-21 |
52 |
37 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 2000 Jan 7-10 |
69 |
23 |
6 |
2 |
|
1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 1999 Oct 21-24 |
52 |
34 |
11 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1999 Sep 10-14 |
59 |
29 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1999 Aug 24-26 |
54 |
31 |
12 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1999 Jun 4-5 |
60 |
27 |
9 |
4 |
|
(NA) 1999 Jan 15-17 |
63 |
28 |
6 |
3 |
|
1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 1998 Dec 4-6 |
52 |
38 |
8 |
2 |
|
(NA) 1998 Oct 29-Nov 1 |
51 |
38 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1998 Sep 1 |
45 |
41 |
11 |
3 |
|
1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 1997 Dec 18-21 |
49 |
39 |
8 |
4 |
|
(NA) 1997 Nov 6-9 |
51 |
37 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1997 May 6-7 |
50 |
40 |
7 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1997 Jan 31-Feb 2 |
46 |
39 |
12 |
3 |
|
1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 1996 Oct 26-29 |
50 |
38 |
7 |
5 |
|
(RV) 1996 Aug 30-Sep 1 |
52 |
37 |
8 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1996 Jul 18-21 |
43 |
46 |
9 |
2 |
|
(NA) 1996 May 9-12 |
39 |
49 |
9 |
3 |
|
1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
(RV) 1992 Aug 31-Sep 2 |
29 |
59 |
10 |
2 |
|
(RV) 1992 Aug 10-12 |
24 |
65 |
10 |
1 |
|
(RV) 1992 Jun 12-14 |
28 |
61 |
9 |
2 |
|
(RV) 1992 Apr 9-12 |
40 |
45 |
13 |
2 |
|
(RV) 1992 Mar 20-22 |
37 |
51 |
11 |
1 |
|
(RV) 1992 Jan 31-Feb 1 |
22 |
70 |
7 |
1 |
|
(NA) 1992 Jan 3-6 |
22 |
71 |
6 |
1 |
|
1991 |
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 1991 Dec 5-8 |
19 |
69 |
9 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1991 Sep 5-8 |
27 |
60 |
10 |
3 |
|
(NA) 1991 Jul 11-14 |
34 |
51 |
9 |
6 |
|
(vol.) = Volunteered response |
||||
|
(NA) = National adults |
||||
|
(RV) = Registered voters |
||||
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK GROUPS (COMBINED RESPONSES: Q.5-6)
|
Positive |
|
Negative |
Undesignated |
|
|
2005 |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
2005 Dec 19-22 |
28 |
20 |
50 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Dec 5-8 |
28 |
22 |
47 |
3 |
|
2005 Nov 17-20 |
25 |
23 |
50 |
2 |
|
2005 Nov 7-10 |
22 |
21 |
55 |
2 |
|
2005 Oct 24-26 |
21 |
16 |
61 |
2 |
|
2005 Oct 13-16 |
18 |
18 |
62 |
2 |
|
2005 Sep 26-28 |
20 |
15 |
61 |
4 |
|
2005 Sep 12-15 |
21 |
17 |
60 |
2 |
|
2005 Aug 22-25 |
23 |
20 |
55 |
2 |
|
2005 Aug 8-11 |
25 |
22 |
50 |
3 |
|
2005 Jul 25-28 |
25 |
19 |
53 |
3 |
|
2005 Jul 7-10 |
25 |
23 |
49 |
3 |
|
2005 Jun 16-19 |
27 |
18 |
52 |
3 |
|
2005 Jun 6-8 |
25 |
22 |
51 |
2 |
|
2005 May 23-26 |
31 |
21 |
46 |
2 |
|
2005 May 2-5 |
21 |
22 |
55 |
2 |
|
2005 Apr 18-21 |
22 |
20 |
55 |
3 |
|
2005 Apr 4-7 |
23 |
22 |
52 |
3 |
|
2005 Mar 21-23 |
25 |
18 |
54 |
3 |
|
2005 Mar 7-10 |
27 |
24 |
46 |
3 |
|
2005 Feb 21-24 |
31 |
21 |
45 |
3 |
|
2005 Feb 7-10 |
34 |
20 |
44 |
2 |
|
2005 Jan 3-5 |
34 |
23 |
40 |
3 |
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Dec 5-8 |
32 |
22 |
42 |
4 |
|
2004 Nov 7-10 |
30 |
25 |
43 |
2 |
|
2004 Oct 11-14 |
27 |
21 |
49 |
3 |
|
2004 Oct 9-10 |
30 |
19 |
48 |
3 |
|
2004 Sep 13-15 |
32 |
23 |
43 |
2 |
|
2004 Aug 9-11 |
32 |
22 |
44 |
2 |
|
2004 Jul 30-Aug 1 |
33 |
21 |
43 |
3 |
|
2004 Jul 8-11 |
31 |
26 |
39 |
4 |
|
2004 Jun 3-6 |
27 |
30 |
41 |
2 |
|
2004 May 2-4 |
25 |
23 |
50 |
2 |
|
2004 Apr 5-8 |
28 |
26 |
44 |
2 |
|
2004 Mar 8-11 |
26 |
26 |
46 |
2 |
|
2004 Feb 9-12 |
28 |
31 |
40 |
1 |
|
2004 Jan 12-15 |
30 |
31 |
38 |
1 |
|
2004 Jan 2-5 |
38 |
33 |
26 |
3 |
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 Dec 11-14 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
1 |
|
2003 Nov 3-5 |
25 |
34 |
39 |
2 |
|
2003 Oct 24-26 |
22 |
30 |
46 |
2 |
|
2003 Oct 6-8 |
18 |
32 |
48 |
2 |
|
2003 Sep 8-10 |
17 |
29 |
52 |
2 |
|
2003 Aug 4-6 |
19 |
32 |
47 |
2 |
|
2003 Jul 7-9 |
19 |
31 |
48 |
2 |
|
2003 Jun 12-15 |
21 |
31 |
46 |
2 |
|
2003 May 19-21 |
15 |
32 |
50 |
3 |
|
2003 May 5-7 |
16 |
34 |
48 |
2 |
|
2003 Apr 7-9 |
20 |
27 |
51 |
2 |
|
2003 Mar 29-30 |
18 |
26 |
54 |
2 |
|
2003 Mar 24-25 |
24 |
28 |
45 |
3 |
|
2003 Mar 3-5 |
12 |
20 |
64 |
4 |
|
2003 Feb 17-19 |
11 |
24 |
63 |
2 |
|
2003 Feb 3-6 |
12 |
27 |
59 |
2 |
|
2003 Jan 20-22 |
13 |
26 |
59 |
2 |
|
2003 Jan 13-16 |
14 |
29 |
54 |
3 |
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 Dec 19-22 |
17 |
26 |
54 |
3 |
|
2002 Dec 5-8 |
17 |
27 |
53 |
3 |
|
2002 Nov 22-24 |
22 |
29 |
48 |
1 |
|
2002 Oct 31-Nov 3 |
20 |
27 |
49 |
4 |
|
2002 Oct 3-6 |
16 |
25 |
55 |
4 |
|
2002 Sep 23-26 |
20 |
21 |
53 |
6 |
|
2002 Sep 5-8 |
16 |
29 |
53 |
2 |
|
2002 Aug 19-21 |
19 |
26 |
51 |
4 |
|
2002 Aug 5-8 |
16 |
30 |
50 |
4 |
|
2002 Jul 29-31 |
22 |
30 |
45 |
3 |
|
2002 Jul 22-24 |
16 |
24 |
55 |
5 |
|
2002 Jul 9-11 |
16 |
29 |
52 |
3 |
|
2002 Jun 17-19 |
30 |
27 |
40 |
3 |
|
2002 Jun 3-6 |
29 |
29 |
39 |
3 |
|
2002 May 20-22 |
33 |
28 |
36 |
3 |
|
2002 May 6-9 |
28 |
32 |
37 |
3 |
|
2002 Apr 22-24 |
32 |
31 |
34 |
3 |
|
2002 Apr 8-11 |
30 |
32 |
35 |
3 |
|
2002 Mar 4-7 |
26 |
36 |
35 |
3 |
|
2002 Feb 4-6 |
19 |
31 |
47 |
3 |
|
2002 Jan 7-9 |
21 |
37 |
40 |
2 |
|
Positive |
Mixed |
Negative |
Undesignated |
|
|
2001 |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
2001 Dec 6-9 |
20 |
35 |
42 |
3 |
|
2001 Nov 8-11 |
17 |
29 |
50 |
4 |
|
2001 Oct 11-14 |
21 |
33 |
43 |
3 |
|
2001 Sep 14-15 |
23 |
29 |
43 |
5 |
|
2001 Sep 7-10 |
15 |
24 |
59 |
2 |
|
2001 Aug 16-19 |
20 |
27 |
50 |
3 |
|
2001 Jul 19-22 |
25 |
29 |
42 |
4 |
|
2001 Jun 11-17 |
22 |
28 |
45 |
5 |
|
2001 May 10-14 |
20 |
28 |
49 |
3 |
|
2001 Apr 6-8 |
21 |
30 |
44 |
5 |
|
2001 Mar 5-7 |
22 |
33 |
41 |
4 |
|
2001 Feb 1-4 |
22 |
33 |
42 |
3 |
|
2001 Jan 10-14 |
30 |
40 |
26 |
4 |
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2000 Dec 2-4 |
36 |
35 |
25 |
4 |
|
2000 Nov 13-15 |
47 |
32 |
18 |
3 |
|
2000 Oct 6-9 |
51 |
28 |
18 |
3 |
|
2000 Jul 25-26 |
57 |
23 |
16 |
4 |
|
2000 May 18-21 |
48 |
28 |
21 |
3 |
|
2000 Jan 7-10 |
61 |
21 |
15 |
3 |
|
1999 |
|
|
|
|
|
1999 Oct 21-24 |
50 |
24 |
23 |
3 |
|
1999 Sep 10-14 |
55 |
22 |
19 |
4 |
|
1999 Aug 24-26 |
48 |
28 |
21 |
3 |
|
1999 Jun 4-5 |
59 |
20 |
17 |
4 |
|
1999 Jan 15-17 |
54 |
26 |
17 |
3 |
|
1998 |
|
|
|
|
|
1998 Dec 4-6 |
47 |
28 |
23 |
2 |
|
1998 Oct 29-Nov 1 |
47 |
27 |
22 |
4 |
|
1998 Sep 1 |
45 |
27 |
24 |
4 |
|
1998 Mar 20-22 |
59 |
21 |
18 |
2 |
|
1997 |
|
|
|
|
|
1997 Dec 18-21 |
36 |
28 |
31 |
5 |
|
1997 Nov 6-9 |
46 |
23 |
28 |
3 |
|
1997 May 6-7 |
38 |
23 |
36 |
3 |
|
1997 Jan 31-Feb 2 |
33 |
24 |
40 |
3 |
|
1996 |
|
|
|
|
|
1996 Oct 26-29 |
37 |
25 |
33 |
5 |
|
1996 Aug 30-Sep 1 |
31 |
29 |
36 |
4 |
|
1996 July 18-21 |
32 |
25 |
40 |
3 |
|
1996 May 9-12 |
22 |
28 |
47 |
3 |
|
1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
1992 Aug 31-Sep 2 |
7 |
25 |
66 |
2 |
|
1992 Jun 12-14 |
8 |
25 |
65 |
2 |
7. Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?
|
National |
Employed/ |
|||||
|
Good time |
Bad time |
No |
Good time |
Bad time |
No |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
2005 Dec 19-22 |
40 |
56 |
4 |
41 |
56 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Dec 5-8 |
36 |
60 |
4 |
37 |
59 |
4 |
|
2005 Nov 17-20 |
42 |
56 |
2 |
45 |
54 |
1 |
|
2005 Nov 7-10 |
37 |
59 |
4 |
40 |
58 |
2 |
|
2005 Oct 24-26 |
37 |
58 |
5 |
41 |
56 |
3 |
|
2005 Oct 13-16 |
35 |
62 |
3 |
35 |
62 |
3 |
|
2005 Sep 26-28 |
38 |
56 |
6 |
41 |
55 |
4 |
|
2005 Sep 12-15 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
42 |
56 |
2 |
|
2005 Aug 22-25 |
36 |
58 |
6 |
36 |
59 |
5 |
|
2005 Aug 8-11 |
39 |
58 |
3 |
42 |
56 |
2 |
|
2005 Jul 25-28 |
35 |
61 |
4 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
|
2005 Jul 7-10 |
39 |
58 |
3 |
41 |
57 |
2 |
|
2005 Jun 16-19 |
40 |
56 |
4 |
42 |
55 |
3 |
|
2005 Jun 6-8 |
35 |
62 |
3 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
|
2005 May 23-26 |
39 |
58 |
3 |
42 |
56 |
2 |
|
2005 May 2-5 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
39 |
59 |
2 |
|
2005 Apr 18-21 |
38 |
58 |
4 |
40 |
57 |
3 |
|
2005 Apr 4-7 |
37 |
59 |
4 |
39 |
57 |
4 |
|
2005 Mar 21-23 |
34 |
61 |
5 |
36 |
60 |
4 |
|
2005 Mar 7-10 |
39 |
57 |
4 |
41 |
57 |
2 |
|
2005 Feb 21-24 |
38 |
57 |
5 |
43 |
53 |
4 |
|
2005 Feb 7-10 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
37 |
61 |
2 |
|
2005 Jan 3-5 |
33 |
62 |
5 |
35 |
61 |
4 |
|
2004 Dec 5-8 |
36 |
59 |
5 |
40 |
57 |
3 |
|
2004 Nov 7-10 |
37 |
60 |
3 |
38 |
60 |
2 |
|
2004 Oct 11-14 |
29 |
67 |
4 |
29 |
68 |
3 |
|
2004 Sep 13-15 |
34 |
61 |
5 |
37 |
60 |
3 |
|
2004 Aug 9-11 |
33 |
63 |
4 |
35 |
63 |
2 |
|
2004 Jul 8-11 |
36 |
61 |
3 |
37 |
61 |
2 |
|
2004 Jun 3-6 |
32 |
65 |
3 |
34 |
64 |
2 |
|
2004 May 2-4 |
30 |
67 |
3 |
30 |
67 |
3 |
|
2004 Apr 5-8 |
30 |
66 |
4 |
34 |
63 |
3 |
|
2004 Mar 8-11 |
28 |
69 |
3 |
30 |
68 |
2 |
|
2004 Feb 9-12 |
28 |
70 |
2 |
30 |
69 |
1 |
|
2004 Jan 12-15 |
31 |
68 |
1 |
34 |
65 |
1 |
|
2003 Dec 11-14 |
29 |
68 |
3 |
31 |
67 |
2 |
|
2003 Nov 3-5 |
24 |
73 |
3 |
25 |
73 |
2 |
|
2003 Oct 6-8 |
24 |
74 |
2 |
27 |
71 |
2 |
|
2003 Sep 8-10 |
19 |
79 |
2 |
20 |
78 |
2 |
|
2003 Aug 4-6 |
17 |
81 |
2 |
19 |
80 |
1 |
|
2003 Jul 7-9 |
20 |
78 |
2 |
23 |
76 |
1 |
|
2003 Jun 12-15 |
22 |
76 |
2 |
22 |
77 |
1 |
|
2003 May 5-7 |
22 |
75 |
3 |
24 |
74 |
2 |
|
2003 Apr 7-9 |
23 |
75 |
2 |
23 |
76 |
1 |
|
2003 Mar 3-5 |
16 |
81 |
3 |
16 |
82 |
2 |
|
2003 Feb 3-6 |
19 |
79 |
2 |
20 |
79 |
1 |
|
2003 Jan 13-16 |
20 |
78 |
2 |
20 |
78 |
2 |
|
|
National |
Employed/ |
||||
|
|
Good time |
Bad time |
No |
Good time |
Bad time |
No |
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
|
2002 Dec 5-8 |
19 |
78 |
3 |
20 |
77 |
3 |
|
2002 Nov 11-14 |
27 |
69 |
4 |
29 |
68 |
3 |
|
2002 Oct 14-17 |
23 |
70 |
7 |
24 |
70 |
6 |
|
2002 Sep 5-8 |
22 |
74 |
4 |
23 |
75 |
2 |
|
2002 Aug 5-8 |
27 |
68 |
5 |
29 |
68 |
3 |
|
2002 Jul 9-11 |
26 |
69 |
5 |
28 |
68 |
4 |
|
2002 Jun 3-6 |
32 |
64 |
4 |
35 |
62 |
3 |
|
2002 May 6-9 |
29 |
67 |
4 |
30 |
67 |
3 |
|
2002 Apr 8-11 |
29 |
68 |
3 |
30 |
68 |
2 |
|
2002 Mar 4-7 |
26 |
72 |
2 |
28 |
70 |
2 |
|
2002 Feb 4-6 |
25 |
72 |
3 |
24 |
73 |
3 |
|
2002 Jan 7-9 |
24 |
73 |
3 |
24 |
73 |
3 |
|
2001 Dec 6-9 |
25 |
73 |
2 |
26 |
71 |
3 |
|
2001 Nov 8-11 |
22 |
75 |
3 |
22 |
75 |
3 |
|
2001 Oct 11-14 |
25 |
71 |
4 |
26 |
71 |
3 |
|
2001 Aug 16-19 |
39 |
56 |
5 |
38 |
59 |
3 |
|
2000 Aug 4-31 † |
-- |
-- |
-- |
78 |
16 |
6 |
|
2000 Jan 5-19 † |
-- |
-- |
-- |
76 |
19 |
5 |
|
1999 Feb 5-22 † |
-- |
-- |
-- |
70 |
24 |
6 |
|
1998 Aug 5-16 † |
-- |
-- |
-- |
69 |
25 |
6 |
|
^ Based on 597 employed adults or unemployed adults who are looking for work |
||||||
|
† Center for Survey Research & Analysis, Univ. of Connecticut & John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers Univ. |
||||||
15. What is the most important economic problem facing the country today? [OPEN-ENDED]
|
Recent Trend: |
Dec |
Nov |
Oct |
Sep |
Aug |
Jul |
|
|
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
||
|
Unemployment/Jobs/Wages |
16 |
19 |
15 |
14 |
15 |
19 |
|
|
Fuel/Oil prices |
16 |
14 |
24 |
25 |
34 |
14 |
|
|
Healthcare/Health insurance costs |
10 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
War in Iraq |
8 |
13 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
|
|
Federal budget deficit |
7 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Outsourcing of jobs |
5 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
Inflation/Rising prices |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
Lack of money |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
Poverty/Hunger/Homelessness |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
Illegal immigrants |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Taxes |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Credit cards/Overspending |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Dealing with natural disasters |
2 |
3 |
6 |
11 |
-- |
-- |
|
|
Social Security |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
Companies closing/No growth |
2 |
* |
1 |
* |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Trade deficit |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
Education reform |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Senior care/Medicare |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Gap between rich and poor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Poorly run government/Politics |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Welfare |
1 |
2 |
* |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Foreign aid/Focus on other countries |
1 |
* |
2 |
1 |
* |
1 |
|
|
Economy (non-specific) |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
George W. Bush/his policies |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Interest rates |
1 |
* |
1 |
1 |
* |
1 |
|
|
Security/Threat of terrorism |
* |
1 |
1 |
* |
2 |
3 |
|
|
International relations |
* |
* |
* |
* |
1 |
* |
|
|
Retirement |
* |
1 |
* |
-- |
* |
1 |
|
|
College tuition expenses |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
1 |
|
|
Stock market |
* |
* |
* |
-- |
-- |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Other |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
None |
1 |
1 |
1 |
* |
1 |
1 |
|
|
No opinion |
8 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
* Less than 0.5% |
|||||||
|
Note: Percentages add to more than 100% due to multiple responses. |
|||||||
|
Contact Gallup for full trend. |
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