Gallup poll: Most Americans worse off than four years ago

Most Americans say their families are worse off than four years ago, according to a Gallup poll that finds economic concerns at a level not seen since Bill Clinton won the presidency in 1992.

Gallup reported Friday that 52% of adults responding to a recent survey said they and their families were in poorer shape financially than before President Biden took office.

That’s the highest in presidential election-year surveys going back to 1984, and the most since 46% said the same in October 1992, the polling company noted.

Another 39% of surveyed adults said they were better off than four years ago, and 8% said they were “about the same” as in 2020.

“The higher-than-usual percentage of U.S. adults who say they are worse off this year is largely owing to Republicans’ much greater likelihood to say this than opponents of the incumbent president’s party had been in prior election years,” Mary Claire Evans, a Gallup researcher, wrote in a summary of the findings.

The poll found that just 7% of Republicans and 35% of independents surveyed described themselves as “better off,” compared with 72% of Democrats.

According to Gallup, the findings confirm recent polls showing that Americans are sour on the rising cost of living, and list the economy as their top election concern.

The company said 46% of Americans describe current economic conditions as “poor” and 29% as “only fair,” compared with 25% who say conditions are “excellent” or “good.”

Another 62% say the economy is “getting worse” compared with 32% saying it is “getting better.”

Gallup predicted these issues will weigh heavily on voters in the presidential race as they choose between Democrat Kamala Harris, the incumbent vice president, and Republican Donald Trump, the former president.

“As inflation persists and economic concerns dominate voters’ minds, the upcoming election may hinge on which candidate can best address these pressing issues,” Ms. Evans said.

Gallup conducted a randomized national telephone survey of 1,023 adults on Sept. 16-28. The margin of error was plus or minus four percentage points at the 95% confidence level.