Poll: Confidence in the U.S. Economy Sinking

Americans' outlook on the national economy is becoming more bleak. The latest Gallup poll data show that 48 percent of respondents say economic conditions are getting worse, up 3 percent from the December 2018 reading.

Notably, the January data show a 12 percent hike from the November 2018 reading of 36 percent. While sentiment about the availability of good quality jobs is still overall positive (66 percent say now is a good time to find one; even of those who think the economy is worsening, 48 percent are optimistic that now is a good time to find quality employment), Americans remain split as to whether or not they find the economy to be in good shape or not, with 49 percent of Gallup poll respondents saying "excellent" or "good," and 50 percent saying "only fair," and 14 percent saying "poor."

The partisan split was evident throughout the last year on the issue of whether or not the economy was worsening, with the gap between Republicans and Democrats ranging between 53 points in April (Republicans 13 percent, Democrats 66 percent) and 41 points in October (Republicans 11 percent, Democrats 52 percent). Last month, the gap stood at 47 points, with 20 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of Democrats thinking the economy was getting worse.

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