Most say they are worse off than 4 years ago: Gallup

As Election Day inches closer, a survey suggests many Americans believe they are worse off than they were four years ago.

The Gallup poll, released Friday, found that 52 percent of Americans said they and their family are worse off today than they were four years ago. Another 39 percent said they were better off, while 9 percent said they felt the same now as they did back then.


Approximately 46 percent of Americans say their current economic conditions are “poor,” some 29 percent described them as “only fair,” while 25 percent said they were “good” or “excellent.” Additionally, 62 percent said the economy is “getting worse,” a higher figure than the 32 percent who said it is “getting better,” according to the survey.

The most important problems respondents listed for the upcoming election were the economy and immigration, at 21 percent apiece. The “government” was at 17 percent, while inflation was the most important issue for 14 percent, the data shows.