Concerns About Job Security and Economic Stability Rise Among Americans

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:25:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent poll shows a significant decline in the confidence of Americans regarding their job prospects and economic conditions under President Trump. Key factors contributing to this sentiment include rising inflation and increasing costs of living.

A new Associated Press-NORC poll reveals that 47% of U.S. adults are not confident about their ability to find good jobs, a sharp rise from the previous year. Ongoing inflation and high living costs, particularly in groceries and utilities, are major concerns. Despite moderate economic growth indicators, public perception of the economy remains poor, with 68% of respondents labeling it 'poor'.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Concerns are mounting among Americans regarding job prospects under President Donald Trump, as revealed by a recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll. The findings suggest an early warning for Republicans, as an anticipated economic boom has shifted toward an atmosphere of economic uncertainty, characterized by hiring freezes and rising inflation.

Households report ongoing struggles with high prices for essentials such as groceries, housing, and healthcare, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of anxiety regarding financial stability. The survey shows that 47% of adults lack confidence in finding a good job, highlighting an increase from 37% observed in October 2023.

Particularly alarming is that 36% of U.S. adults cite rising electricity bills as a major stressor, a situation worsened by the projected expansion of data centers for artificial intelligence which are expected to exert additional pressure on the power grid. Moreover, over half of the respondents registered that grocery costs are a significant financial burden, with approximately 40% specifying that housing and healthcare costs are also problematic.

The poll indicates a persistent vulnerability for Trump, who returned to office with the promise of swiftly addressing inflation issues which surged during former President Biden's administration. However, Trump's economic approval ratings have not improved, notably juxtaposed to Biden's ratings at a similar point in his presidency.

While 36% of adults approve of Trump's economic management, this figure remains low and poses potential electoral risks as upcoming local and national elections approach. Comparatively, at the same juncture in Biden's presidency, 41% of Americans expressed approval regarding his handling of the economy.

Americans' feelings toward job security reflect a broader sense of economic precarity, coupled with escalating costs in daily life. An increasing number express concerns regarding their financial future, as many feel locked out of opportunities for home ownership and savings for retirement.

According to the survey, 54% of U.S. adults identify grocery expenses as a major financial stressor, with substantial portions of respondents lacking confidence in their ability to handle unexpected medical expenses or save sufficiently for retirement. Younger adults, particularly, exhibit low confidence in their prospects for home ownership.

The AP-NORC poll, conducted from October 9-13, surveyed 1,289 adults and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points.