Gallup: Economic confidence decreases

American confidence in the nation's economy fell in November, reaching a negative 30, according to the most recent Gallup survey marking the lowest point since July 2024. Gallups Economic Confidence Index, which combines public perception of current economic conditions with expectations for the future, decreased by 7 points from Octobers negative 23, after holding at negative 20 in both September and August.

The November reading represents the indexs weakest performance since July 2024, when it recorded negative 35. The index stood at negative 19 when President Trump began his second term and has mostly remained in the negative teens throughout his tenure.

The index has fluctuated over the year: it dipped to negative 20 in March and negative 22 in April, then improved to negative 14 in June. The recent decline mirrors Americans increasingly negative assessments of both present and future economic conditions.

In November, 21 percent of U.S. adults rated current economic conditions as excellent or good, slightly down from 24 percent in October. Conversely, 40 percent described the economy as poor, up from 37 percent the previous month. Optimism about the economys future has also weakened: 27 percent of adults said the economy is improving, compared to 31 percent in October, while 68 percent believe it is worsening.

Historically, the index has shown both optimism and pessimism. Over the past five years, its highest point was 41 in February 2020 during President Trumps first term, shortly before the pandemic. The lowest was negative 58 in June 2022 under President Biden.

The survey was conducted from November 3 to 25 with a sample of 1,321 adults, and it carries a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Author: Maya Henderson