According to Gallup research released earlier this week (1.22.2019), Americans’ outlook for the economy has begun to sour in the past two months. In previous months of 2018, Gallup survey respondents set records for their optimism.
48% | Percentage of Americans who say economic conditions are worsening in
45% |Percentage of Americans who said economic conditions were worsening in December 2018
36% | |Percentage of Americans who said economic conditions were worsening in November 2018
Americans are still optimistic about jobs
According to the survey, Americans remain positive about the availability of quality jobs and are still split on whether the economy is in overall good shape.
66% | Percentage of participants who believe it is a good time to find a quality job.
48% | Even among those who think the economy is getting worse, 48 percent think is a good time to find a quality job.
Quote
“Gallup began asking the question about the availability of good jobs in August 2002, and the percentage saying it was a good time to find a quality job had never reached 50% until January 2017. Since then it has never been below 50% and has held relatively steady over the past nine months, ranging between 64% and 68%.”
Factors that may have had an impact on the survey findings
The following events occurred between the December and January surveys
- Volatility in the stock market that produced major declines in December
- The current federal government shutdown that began Dec. 20
- A government report released Jan. 4 that showed an uptick in national unemployment
Chart: Gallup | Photos: GettyImages