---
title: "Economic Woes"
description: "Fully 70% of Americans say they have faced one or more job or financial-related problems in the past year, up from 59% in February 2009."
date: "2010-03-24"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2010/03/24/economic-woes/"
---

# Economic Woes

Americans are united in the belief that the economy is in bad shape (92% give it a negative rating), and for many the repercussions are hitting close to home. Fully 70% of Americans say they have faced one or more job or financial-related problems in the past year, up from 59% in February 2009. Jobs have become difficult to find in local communities for 85% of Americans. A majority now says that someone in their household has been without a job or looking for work (54%); just 39% said this in February 2009. Only a quarter reports receiving a pay raise or a better job in the past year (24%), while almost an equal number say they have been laid off or lost a job (21%). [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1530/poll-health-care-costs-prefer-new-bill)