---
title: "Economic Worries Rise Among Upscale Americans"
description: "Three-quarters of Americans (75%), now rate strengthening the economy as a top priority for policymakers -- up from 68% a year ago. Much of the increased emphasis comes from upper socio-economic groups. "
date: "2008-01-28"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2008/01/28/economic-worries-rise-among-upscale-americans/"
---

# Economic Worries Rise Among Upscale Americans

Fully three-quarters of Americans (75%) rate strengthening the economy as a major priority, up from 68% a year ago, with much of the increased emphasis on the economy coming from upper socioeconomic groups — college graduates and people with relatively high annual household incomes, as well from Republicans and independents. As a consequence, the once substantial educational and income differences over the importance of the economy as a policy priority have disappeared. Still, economic ratings today are well above where they were at this point in the 1992 election cycle when just 12% rated the economy as either excellent or good. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/704/election-year-economic-ratings-lowest-since-92)