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
-
U.S. tariffs are among the lowest in the world – and in the nation’s history
The Trump administration’s plans to impose $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports, as well as tariffs recently placed on imported steel and aluminum and on imports of solar panels and washing machines, mark a distinct break from decades of U.S. trade policy, which long has generally favored lower tariffs and fewer restrictions on the movement of goods and services across international borders.
-
Women in majority-male workplaces report higher rates of gender discrimination
The American workplace remains segregated by gender, and women in majority-male workplaces are more likely than other women to report gender discrimination.
-
Many Italians are deeply pessimistic ahead of general election
Last fall, large shares of Italians said they distrust parliament, that the national economic situation is bad and that politicians don’t care what people like them think.
-
The Generation Gap in American Politics
Generational differences have long been a factor in U.S. politics. These divisions are now as wide as they have been in decades, with the potential to shape politics well into the future.
-
Majorities Say Government Does Too Little for Older People, the Poor and the Middle Class
Majorities of Americans say the federal government does not provide enough help for older people (65%), poor people (62%) and the middle class (61%). By contrast, nearly two-thirds (64%) say the government provides too much help for wealthy people.
-
Remittances from abroad are major economic assets for some developing countries
For five countries – Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Haiti, Tajikistan and Liberia – remittances from citizens abroad are equivalent to at least a quarter of GDP.
-
Economic Issues Decline Among Public’s Policy Priorities
Economic issues are viewed as less important policy priorities than they were just a few years ago.
-
Public Has Mixed Expectations for New Tax Law
Survey Report A month after Donald Trump and Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the public has mixed views of the sweeping tax overhaul and its long-term impact. Just as support in Congress for the legislation was divided along party lines, there are wide partisan gaps among the public in expectations for the […]
-
Migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean sent a record amount of money to their home countries in 2016
Remittance flows decreased worldwide for a second consecutive year in 2016, the first back-to-back decline in over three decades. Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean, however, rose to a record high.
-
Americans see both good and bad in trends that are changing the workplace
Among the trends reshaping the U.S. workplace, more Americans see outsourcing of jobs, more immigrant workers and imports as negative rather than positive forces when it comes to their livelihoods.
