Most Americans say it’s important to stay informed on key issues, but fewer feel highly informed themselves
% of U.S. adults who say …
Note: Other responses for the question on how informed people are about each topic include “Somewhat informed,” “Not too informed” and “Not at all informed.” Other responses for the question on how important people think it is for individual Americans to stay informed about each topic include “Somewhat important,” “Not too important” and “Not at all important.”
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted March 6-9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Most Americans say it’s important to stay informed on key issues, but fewer feel highly informed themselves
% of U.S. adults who say …
| They are extremely or very informed about … | It is extremely or very important for individual Americans to stay informed about … | |
|---|---|---|
| The healthcare system | 34 | 82 |
| Voting and election processes | 50 | 82 |
| What the president can and cannot do | 36 | 80 |
| Immigration and citizenship policies | 39 | 76 |
| Economic and tax policies | 24 | 75 |
| Social Security | 31 | 72 |
| U.S. foreign policy | 23 | 71 |
| Gun regulation | 33 | 69 |
| Childhood vaccine policies | 31 | 69 |
| Federal regulation of technology and media companies | 15 | 52 |
| Marijuana regulation | 23 | 31 |
Note: Other responses for the question on how informed people are about each topic include “Somewhat informed,” “Not too informed” and “Not at all informed.” Other responses for the question on how important people think it is for individual Americans to stay informed about each topic include “Somewhat important,” “Not too important” and “Not at all important.”
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted March 6-9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
