---
title: "Obama’s Approval Ratings Slide: By the Numbers"
description: "In April, 62% of the public approved of Barack Obama's performance as president, but in August, just four months later, 52% approved. Obama's approval rating has declined across nearly all major demographic and political groups."
date: "2009-09-04"
authors:
  - name: "Tom Rosentiel"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2009/09/04/obamas-approval-ratings-slide-brby-the-numbersbr/"
categories:
  - "Barack Obama"
  - "Presidential Approval"
---

# Obama’s Approval Ratings Slide: By the Numbers

In April, 62% of the public approved of Barack Obama's performance as president and 26% disapproved. In August, just four months later, 52% approved of Obama's job performance while 37% disapproved.

Obama's approval rating has declined across nearly all major demographic and political groups: It has fallen 11 points among women and nine points among men; by 12 points among Republicans, 10 points among Democrats and nine points among independents.

Changes in Obama's job approval ratings are based on 3,013 interviews in April and 4,013 interviews in August.

[**Click here to see a detailed breakdown of the following categories:**](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/old-assets/pdf/1333.pdf)

- Sex
- Age
- Race
- Education
- Income
- Political Party
- Ideology
- Religious Preference
- Region
- Marital Status
- Employment