Americans’ views of the economy deteriorated further in early October, with a rising share saying conditions are worsening and just over half describing the job market as bad, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,489 adults. Prices remain the dominant lens through which people assess the economy; most respondents said costs continued to climb in recent weeks and expect further increases, even as perceptions of gas prices have improved somewhat.
Workers generally feel secure in their current roles, but most believe finding a desirable job would be difficult and, by roughly 4 to 1, say there are fewer good jobs locally than five years ago. Skepticism about artificial intelligence is pronounced: many expect AI to reduce job availability in their fields over the next decade and to weigh on the broader U.S. economy, though some see potential for AI to make certain jobs easier. Views vary along partisan lines and by income, with higher earners more likely to report stable personal finances. The poll, conducted Sept. 30–Oct. 2, carries a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points.
Related articles:
Gallup Economic Confidence Index
Surveys of Consumers — University of Michigan
World Economic Outlook — International Monetary Fund
