Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and the mood has turned sharply negative. A recent Fox News poll shows that 70% of registered voters believe economic conditions are getting worse. That number matches a record high last seen in April 2023, and it signals something deeper than a temporary slump.
Just one year ago, in April 2025, 55% of voters felt this way. That jump of 15 points in a single year shows that concern is not just lingering, it is spreading quickly and sticking around.
Nearly three out of four voters, about 73%, now rate the economy negatively. That number has barely moved for two years, which suggests people are not seeing signs of relief in their daily lives.
Everyday Costs are Driving the Gloom
Kampus / Pexels / The frustration starts with basic needs. People are reacting to grocery bills, rent payments, and fuel costs that keep climbing.
These everyday pressures are shaping how Americans judge the economy.
The poll shows that 62% of voters say grocery costs are a major problem for their families. Gas prices follow closely at 60%, while healthcare and housing also rank high on the list of concerns. These are not optional expenses, which makes the pressure feel constant.
Gas prices stand out for how quickly concern has grown. In September 2025, only 33% of voters called gas a major problem. By April 2026, that number nearly doubled to 60%, showing how fast sentiment can shift when prices spike.
People are also clear about what matters most right now. When asked about the biggest issue facing the country, 43% pointed to the economy. Inflation alone was named by 26%, while 17% cited jobs and broader economic conditions.
Politics and Policy are Taking the Heat
Trump / IG / The same poll shows that voters are twice as likely to say President Donald Trump’s policies are hurting the economy rather than helping it.
About 56% believe current policies are doing harm, while only 28% see a positive impact. That gap reflects a clear lack of confidence in how economic challenges are being handled at the top.
This dissatisfaction shows up in approval ratings as well. President Trump’s overall job approval stands at 42%, with 58% disapproving. Economic concerns appear to be a major driver behind those numbers.
There is still a political divide, but even that line is starting to blur. Republicans remain more optimistic than Democrats, yet the poll reveals that more than half of Republicans still describe economic conditions and their own finances as bad. That suggests concern is no longer limited to one side.
Other major surveys are picking up the same wave of pessimism, which adds weight to the trend. When different studies point in the same direction, it becomes harder to dismiss the shift as temporary.
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index dropped again in April 2026, landing at 49.8. That level is close to the lows seen during the inflation surge in mid-2022, according to the survey. It also ranks among the weakest readings in the survey’s long history.
Breaking it down further shows the depth of concern. The index for current conditions sits at 52.5, while expectations for the future fall even lower at 48.1. That gap suggests people are not just unhappy now. They expect things to stay tough.
High prices are a common theme across responses. About half of those surveyed said rising costs are eating into their standard of living. Many also expect gas prices to climb further, with projections jumping sharply compared to earlier in the year.
