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Poll: Inflation, Economy Top Issues Americans Worry About
A new Gallup poll fount that Americans are becoming increasingly anxious about inflation, the economy, and drug usage.
Inflation, crime and violence, drug usage, Social Security, race relations, illegal immigration, and other concerns were all mentioned in the survey.
Overall, 61% are concerned about inflation “a great deal,” putting them at the top of the list. This is a two-point rise over the previous year's figure of 59%.
The economy comes in second, with 60% saying they are “very concerned,” a two-point rise over last year's figures.
Throughout former President Trump's four years in office, Americans were considerably less anxious about the status of the economy. When Trump took office in 2017, 46% indicated they were concerned about the economy “a great deal.” This number fell to 34% in 2018 and 33% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The%age soared to 49% in 2021 and has continued to climb under President Biden's reign, reaching 58% in 2022 and 60% this year.
There has been a five-point increase in those concerned about healthcare availability and cost, rising from 49% in 2022 to 54% in 2023. Fifty-four% are worried about crime and violence, while 52% are worried about federal spending and the fiscal imbalance.
Nonetheless, drug usage remains one of the most serious concerns, with an eight-point increase in the previous year. In 2022, 38% of people were concerned. This figure has now risen to 46%.
Per Gallup:
“Americans are more concerned about drug use (46% worry a great deal) than they have been over the past three years, though they are far less worried than they were in 2001, when 58% were. Concern about drug use had fallen a total of nine%age points between 2019 and 2022, before increasing back to near-2019 levels this year. The increase is perhaps tied to higher rates of opioid drug overdose, particularly among teens, many tied to the drug fentanyl.”
Meanwhile, since last year, Americans have become less anxious about energy availability and cost (-6%), environmental quality (-5%), racial relations (-3%), and the threat of a future terrorist strike in the United States (-2%).
The poll was conducted among 1,009 persons between March 1 and March 23, 2023, and has a +/-4% margin of error.
Meanwhile, a March survey conducted by Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found Biden’s approval sinking to 38% — a seven percent drop since February.
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