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Economy Ranks as Most Important Problem Facing Country Today

Concerns over economy were followed by dissatisfaction with government and unemployment and jobs

AP
May 16, 2016

Americans ranked the economy as the most important problem facing the United States today, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Eighteen percent of Americans believe the economy is the biggest problem our nation faces, followed by 13 percent of Americans who say dissatisfaction with government is their top problem, and 9 percent of Americans who say their top issue is unemployment and jobs.

"Americans also list immigration (7%), race relations (5%), the federal budget deficit (5%), and elections and election reform (5%)," the poll states. Terrorism, healthcare, national security, education, poverty, and the gap between the rich and the poor all received 4 percent.

"With the presidential election campaign roaring on, the economy remains the single leading issue in Americans’ minds as the biggest problem facing the country," explains Gallup. "Economic concerns more generally make up about 40% of all "most important problem" mentions. This comes as Americans’ confidence in the economy has recently sagged a bit and as Americans prepare to elect their next leader to steer the country."

"Gallup has found that the economy is one of the top campaign issues for both Democrats and Republicans," the article states. "But while members of both parties agree the issue is a pressing one, Republicans are nearly three times as likely as Democrats to say the issue is the top problem facing the U.S."

"This is consistent with their confidence in the national economy—Democrats have much more positive views—and reflects the nature of how Americans view the economy through their party’s lens."

Published under: Economy