Economy & Work

data essayMar 25, 2026

Ahead of the nation’s birthday, Pew Research Center identified some prominent trends across key areas of American life: demographics, work, family and economics.

Related: How Americans view racial diversity ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary

short readApr 6, 2026

short readApr 1, 2026

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

short readMar 13, 2026

Job seekers wait in line to enter a job fair event in Silver Spring, Maryland, on April 16, 2025. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

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reportJun 24, 2009

Pollwatch: Comparing the Polls on Spending and the Deficit
reportJun 24, 2009

Pollwatch: Comparing the Polls on Spending and the Deficit

How the question is phrased has a clear impact on whether the public rates deficit reduction or stimulus spending more important.
reportJun 19, 2009

Public More Optimistic About the Economy, But Still Reluctant to Spend

Overview The public is increasingly optimistic that the nation’s economy will improve in the next year, while a growing number also expect their personal finances to get better. But this has not caused people to open their wallets: The proportion saying they have cut back on personal spending remains as high as it was earlier […]
reportJun 18, 2009

Obama’s Ratings Remain High Despite Some Policy Concerns

Overview A solid majority of Americans (61%) continue to approve of Barack Obama’s job performance, although they express mixed views of several of his policies. An important positive sign for Obama is the public’s continued optimism that his policies will improve the economy – fully 65% express this view. A smaller majority (55%) is optimistic […]
reportJun 17, 2009

Cockeyed Optimists or Self-Fulfilling Prophets?

Even while their personal worries have deepened, Americans have been feeling more upbeat about the national economy’s prospects and less concerned about rising inequality. What underlies this trend and can it be sustained?
short readsJun 15, 2009

Empty Nest Eggs

Just over half of all working adults ages 50 to 64 say they have thought in the past year about postponing retirement.
short readsJun 15, 2009

Bar Tab Recession

Four-in-ten young adults say they have cut back spending on alcohol or cigarettes as a result of the recession.
reportJun 5, 2009

Gen Next Squeezed By Recession, But Most See Better Times Ahead
reportJun 5, 2009

Gen Next Squeezed By Recession, But Most See Better Times Ahead

While the economic downturn is falling quite heavily on younger Americans, their overall outlook remains optimistic. A new survey also finds Generation Next expressing more liberal views when compared with older age cohorts as well as evidence of increased political engagement.
reportJun 2, 2009

Public Backs Affirmative Action, But Not Minority Preferences

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Economy & Work

The United States at 250: How the Country Has Changed in the Past 50 Years

Top tax frustrations for Americans: Feeling that some wealthy people, corporations don’t pay fair share

How Americans view Trump’s handling of trade and tariffs

Federal workforce shrank 10% in Trump’s first year back in office

Economy & Work

Pollwatch: Comparing the Polls on Spending and the Deficit

Pollwatch: Comparing the Polls on Spending and the Deficit

Public More Optimistic About the Economy, But Still Reluctant to Spend

Obama’s Ratings Remain High Despite Some Policy Concerns

Cockeyed Optimists or Self-Fulfilling Prophets?

Empty Nest Eggs

Bar Tab Recession

Gen Next Squeezed By Recession, But Most See Better Times Ahead

Gen Next Squeezed By Recession, But Most See Better Times Ahead

Public Backs Affirmative Action, But Not Minority Preferences

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