As Election Day approaches, a recent survey suggests that a majority of Americans believe their lives are worse off than they were four years ago.
Fifty-two percent of Americans say they and their families are worse off now than they were four years ago, according to a Gallup poll released Friday. The Gallup poll was conducted among 1,023 Americans between September 16 and September 28, and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
Another 39 percent said their lives were better, and 9 percent said they felt the same way now than they did then.
Gallup noted that these results most closely resemble the 1992 survey. Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush.
FOX News poll: Trump leads Harris by 2 points nationally
Money and receipts placed in payment binder to pay for meals. (St. Petersburg)
Reactions varied depending on the person's political affiliation.
About 72% of Democrats say they would be better off in 2024 than in 2020, according to the survey. Independents were far less likely to vote, at 35%, and Republicans at just 7%.
Interior photo of a young woman selecting items at the cash register to make sure she gets the correct price. She uses a touch screen at the checkout and also wears a protective face mask inside the supermarket to protect herself and others during the pandemic. (St. Petersburg)
The poll leader said participants' responses to whether they felt their lives were “better” were typically tied to the U.S. economy.
Gallup's monthly Economic Confidence Index (ECI), which ranges from -100 to +100, is currently -26, with 39% saying the economy was better off four years ago.
Three weeks left until Election Day, three new pollsters agree on Trump and Harris positions
The organization has been tracking ECI since 1992. Since its inception, the highest ECI score was +56 in January 2000 and the lowest was -72 in October 2008.
Gallup said former President Trump's loss to current President Biden in 2020 was “a sign that non-economic factors are top priority for voters that year.”
Multiple media outlets claim that Americans who criticize the economy under the Biden administration don't realize how good of an economy they have. ((Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP) (Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP, Getty Images))
US economic confidence remains low:
Gallup noted that the ECI has been negative for most of the past four years.
In 2022, the index recorded some of its worst scores since the 2007-2009 recession, and inflation reached high levels.
For the past three years, Americans have cited inflation as the most important economic problem facing their families. The survey results suggest that despite generally low unemployment and stable economic growth, fear of inflation underlies many Americans' perceptions of the economy.
About 46% of Americans say their current economic situation is “bad,” about 29% say it's “fair,” and 25% say it's “good” or “excellent.”
Additionally, 62% of respondents in the survey said the economy was “deteriorating,” while 32% said it was “getting better.”
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are standing side by side. (AP image)
Crucial moment: Kamala Harris teams up with Obamas next week
Key issues in the 2024 election:
The survey found the key areas that voters are most concerned about heading to the polls.
Economy: 21% Immigration: 21% Government: 17% Inflation: 14%
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In the latest Fox News poll, conducted Oct. 11-14, the economy continues to outperform all other issues, with 40% saying it is the most important issue in deciding their presidential choice. are.
Less than half say immigration and abortion are a priority, and far fewer say issues like election integrity, health care, climate change, guns, crime and foreign policy.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
FOX News' Victoria Bharara and Dana Blanton contributed to this report.
