The United States at 250: How the Country Has Changed in the Past 50 Years
Ahead of the nation’s birthday, Pew Research Center identified some prominent trends across key areas of American life: demographics, work, family and economics.
Economy & Work
A Year Into Trump’s Second Term, Americans’ Views of the Economy Remain Negative
Most Americans continue to hold negative views of the U.S. economy, as has been the case for the last six years.
About 1 in 5 U.S. workers now use AI in their job, up since last year
Workers younger than 50 and workers with a bachelor’s degree or more education are among the most likely to use AI in their job.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings
All
Economy & Work
Publications
-
1 in 10: Redefining the Asian American Dream (Short Film)
Of the 24 million Asians living in the United States, about 2.3 million live in poverty. This short film explores their diverse stories and experiences.
-
The Hardships and Dreams of Asian Americans Living in Poverty
About one-in-ten Asian Americans live in poverty. Pew Research Center conducted 18 focus groups in 12 languages to explore their stories and experiences.
-
State of the Union 2024: Where Americans stand on the economy, immigration and other key issues
Ahead of President Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address Americans are focused on the health of the economy and immigration.
-
A booming U.S. stock market doesn’t benefit all racial and ethnic groups equally
Nearly two-thirds of White families (66%) owned stocks directly or indirectly, compared with 39% of Black families and 28% of Hispanic families.
-
Americans’ Top Policy Priority for 2024: Strengthening the Economy
Growing shares of Republicans rate immigration and terrorism as top priorities for the president and Congress this year.
-
For Women’s History Month, a look at gender gains – and gaps – in the U.S.
Women made up 47% of the U.S. civilian labor force in 2023, up from 30% in 1950 – but growth has stagnated.
-
Who Are You? The Art and Science of Measuring Identity
As a shop that studies human behavior through surveys and other social scientific techniques, we have a good line of sight into the contradictory nature of human preferences. Here’s a look at how we categorize our survey participants in ways that enhance our understanding of how people think and behave.
-
Black Americans’ Views on Success in the U.S.
While Black adults define personal and financial success in different ways, most see these measures of success as major sources of pressure in their lives.
-
From Businesses and Banks to Colleges and Churches: Americans’ Views of U.S. Institutions
Americans overwhelmingly see small businesses as having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country. By contrast, their views of large corporations are broadly negative. And most people – including identical shares in both parties – are critical of the impact of banks and financial institutions.
-
Among Black adults, those with higher incomes are most likely to say they are happy
Black adults in upper-income families are about twice as likely as those in lower-income families to say they are extremely or very happy.
