Poll shows dip in number of Americans who expect economy to get worse

A poll released Tuesday showed a dip in the percentage of Americans who expect the economy to get worse in the next year, although a majority describe the economy as poor. 

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll determined that 28 percent of Americans said they expect economic conditions to worsen, a decrease from 35 percent who said the same in July. Before that in May, 40 percent of respondents expected the economy to get worse. 

Overall, the poll determined that 60 percent of respondents classified the economy as poor, compared to 40 percent who said it was good. This represents an increase from earlier in the pandemic in April and May when 29 percent described the economy as good. 

A total of 43 percent of respondents in the September poll said they expect the economy to get better in the next year, about equal to the percentage in July. Twenty-seven percent said they don’t expect a change in economic conditions within a year. 

The poll comes six weeks ahead of Election Day, as President Trump’s reelection campaign is citing stock market and unemployment improvements after the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus.

Ahead of the election, 67 percent of Republicans classify the economy as good, while 16 percent of Democrats agree. 

Most Republicans at 64 percent expect the economy to improve in a year. Democrats are split with 39 percent expecting it to get worse, 28 percent expecting improvement and 32 percent expecting no change.  

Out of all respondents, 65 percent said their personal finances were good, which has remained steady since before the pandemic. Thirty-eight percent said they expect their personal finances to improve, 13 percent expect them to worsen and 48 percent expect no change. 

The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll surveyed 1,108 adults between Sept. 11 and 14. The margin of error amounted to 4 percentage points. 

Trump has maintained a high job approval for the economy, with half of respondents supporting his actions in this poll. But other polls have shown that Democratic nominee Joe Biden has voter support on other issues outside of the economy like handling the coronavirus pandemic.