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Economic Confidence

Explore Gallup's research.

Americans are the least satisfied with their personal lives than they have been since 2011, but some subgroups are faring better than others.

Americans remain largely negative about the state of the economy and inflation, but their economic confidence is the highest it has been in two years.

Biden enters 2024 with a persistently low job approval rating of 39%, the worst of any modern-day president seeking reelection at the same point.

Close to two-thirds of likely Black Friday/Cyber Monday shoppers will buy something for themselves this year.

About one in four U.S. holiday shoppers would definitely or probably start their holiday shopping earlier if retailers started their holiday sales earlier.

Gallup's Economic Confidence Index is flat in March, with most Americans viewing the economy as subpar and saying it's getting worse.

Americans' mentions of COVID-19 as the most important U.S. problem have fallen to the lowest point since the pandemic began, but government remains a top concern.

Gallup's Economic Performance and Financial Security Indicator tracks U.S. opinion on the economy, global bank account ownership and more.

Mentions of the government as the nation's most important problem have risen in the past month. Economic confidence remains subpar.

Americans' ratings of the economy are still very negative but are slightly improved from October.

Americans' confidence in the economy improved significantly in August, though it still is on the lower end of what Gallup has measured over the past 10 years.

President Donald Trump's latest job approval rating (43%) is similar to his recent ratings. Americans' satisfaction with the state of the nation and their evaluations of the economy are weak but improved.

More Americans than just two months ago are experiencing financial hardship from rising gas prices. Meanwhile, their view of the economy keeps worsening.

Americans' confidence in the economy remains negative, and mentions of inflation as the top problem are holding at their highest point since 1984.

Amid high inflation, confidence in the U.S. economy has fallen back to a level last seen in April 2020, when nationwide shutdowns resulted in a recession.

Portending solid holiday retail sales, Americans expect to spend an average $886 on gifts this season, slightly more than a year ago. Most people didn't start shopping early, but when they do shop, it's likely to be online.

The amount Americans estimate they will spend on Christmas gifts this year roughly matches what they estimated last year around the same time, but it is still lower than before the pandemic.

Americans' confidence in the economy continues to weaken, and their mentions of economic issues as the nation's top problem are rising. Meanwhile, a record-high 74% now say it is a good time to find a quality job.

As America's economy emerges from the 2020 slump, the number of those describing now as a good time to find a job has more than doubled since January.

Americans' economic confidence has fallen back to levels seen early this year, as more sense the economy is getting worse.