Share of Democrats saying federal budget deficit is a top problem spikes
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
Inflation
The affordability of health care
The federal budget deficit
Unemployment
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Share of Democrats saying federal budget deficit is a top problem spikes
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
| Date | Issue | Total | Rep/Lean Rep | Dem/Lean Dem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-26 | The affordability of health care | 73% | 60% | 85% |
| 2025-02-01 | The affordability of health care | 67% | 61% | 73% |
| 2024-05-19 | The affordability of health care | 57% | 48% | 65% |
| 2023-06-11 | The affordability of health care | 64% | 54% | 73% |
| 2022-05-01 | The affordability of health care | 55% | 42% | 65% |
| 2021-04-11 | The affordability of health care | 56% | 40% | 69% |
| 2020-06-22 | The affordability of health care | 57% | 39% | 72% |
| 2019-09-15 | The affordability of health care | 66% | 51% | 77% |
| 2019-03-04 | The affordability of health care | 67% | 56% | 74% |
| 2018-10-07 | The affordability of health care | 70% | 58% | 79% |
| 2026-04-26 | The federal budget deficit | 64% | 62% | 66% |
| 2025-11-01 | The federal budget deficit | 56% | 59% | 52% |
| 2025-02-01 | The federal budget deficit | 57% | 66% | 47% |
| 2024-05-19 | The federal budget deficit | 53% | 71% | 35% |
| 2023-06-11 | The federal budget deficit | 56% | 72% | 39% |
| 2022-05-01 | The federal budget deficit | 51% | 69% | 35% |
| 2021-07-18 | The federal budget deficit | 50% | 70% | 34% |
| 2021-04-11 | The federal budget deficit | 49% | 71% | 31% |
| 2020-06-22 | The federal budget deficit | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| 2019-09-15 | The federal budget deficit | 53% | 54% | 52% |
| 2018-10-07 | The federal budget deficit | 55% | 56% | 53% |
| 2026-04-01 | Inflation | 66% | 55% | 74% |
| 2025-02-01 | Inflation | 63% | 73% | 53% |
| 2024-05-01 | Inflation | 62% | 80% | 46% |
| 2023-06-01 | Inflation | 65% | 77% | 52% |
| 2022-05-01 | Inflation | 70% | 84% | 57% |
| 2026-04-26 | Unemployment | 36% | 25% | 45% |
| 2025-02-01 | Unemployment | 25% | 21% | 27% |
| 2024-05-19 | Unemployment | 25% | 27% | 22% |
| 2023-06-11 | Unemployment | 24% | 23% | 23% |
| 2022-05-01 | Unemployment | 23% | 22% | 21% |
| 2021-04-11 | Unemployment | 41% | 36% | 45% |
| 2020-06-22 | Unemployment | 50% | 36% | 61% |
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
