Nearly Half of Americans Are Less Optimistic About Their Lives Than a Decade Ago, Poll Shows

Nearly half of Americans say they are less optimistic about their lives than they were 10 years ago, according to a new poll, revealing a widespread sense of discouragement that extends beyond politics and comes as the country prepares for another contentious midterm election.

The Economist/YouGov survey found that 48% of respondents are less optimistic about life than they were a decade ago, compared with just 23% who feel more optimistic. Another 29% said their outlook has remained about the same.

Although the survey did not establish why respondents feel less hopeful, other recent polling points to mounting concerns about the cost of living, political divisions, and the country’s economic future.

The Economist/YouGov survey also found widespread dissatisfaction with political leadership. Among registered voters and those planning to register before Election Day, 62% said Trump cares little or not at all about the needs and problems of people like them, while 36% believed he cares at least somewhat.

Only 17% expressed a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress, the lowest level among nine institutions included in the survey. The criminal justice system received 26%, followed by the Department of Justice at 28%. The military remained the most trusted institution, at 61%.

Economic pressures offer additional context for the declining optimism. A Pew Research Center survey released October 8 found that only 21% of Americans described economic conditions as excellent or good, down from 28% at the beginning of the year. Another 42% rated the economy as poor.

The same Pew survey found that 74% of Americans were very concerned about gasoline and energy prices, up from 43% in January, before the U.S. military conflict with Iran. Food and consumer goods worried 73%, healthcare costs concerned 69%, and housing expenses troubled 66%.

Americans are also uncertain about whether conditions will improve. Pew found that 39% expect the economy to worsen over the next year, compared with 26% who anticipate improvement and 34% who expect little change.

In August, YouGov found that Americans gave negative overall ratings to 31 of 40 aspects of life in the United States, including political stability, national unity and government accountability. The cost of living received the most negative assessment, while military strength, religious freedom, entertainment and the stock market were among the few areas rated positively.

The latest findings arrive less than three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when voters will decide control of Congress amid concerns about inflation, healthcare, immigration and the war with Iran.

The Economist/YouGov poll also found that 41% of registered or prospective voters were more enthusiastic about voting than in previous congressional election years, compared with 17% who were less enthusiastic and 37% who felt about the same.

The poll surveyed 1,548 U.S. adult citizens, including 1,403 registered voters or people planning to register before Election Day. The margin of error for that voter group was approximately 3.5 percentage points.