Americans are feeling worse about the economy this month, with confidence dropping sharply as more people say conditions are poor and heading in the wrong direction.
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index fell to -38 in April, down from -27 in March, marking the lowest level since late 2023 and reflecting growing concern about both current conditions and the outlook ahead.
Nearly half of U.S. adults, 47%, now describe the economy as “poor,” up seven points from last month. Just 21% say conditions are “excellent” or “good,” showing little change from March.
The outlook is even more negative. By a wide margin, 73% of Americans say the economy is getting worse, compared to 23% who believe it is improving. That’s a notable shift from March, when the split was less severe.
The decline in confidence cuts across political lines. While Republicans remain the most optimistic overall, their confidence dropped significantly in April. Independents and Democrats, who already viewed the economy negatively, reported even weaker sentiment this month.
Americans are also expressing skepticism about key parts of the economy. About two-thirds, 63%, say it is a bad time to find a quality job, while just one-third say it’s a good time. Views on the stock market are similarly cautious, with 53% saying it’s a bad time to invest, compared to 43% who see it as a good opportunity.
Broader concerns reflect that unease. When asked to name the most important problem facing the country, Americans most often pointed to the government, followed closely by economic issues such as inflation, the cost of living and the economy overall. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East also ranked among the top concerns.
The latest polling was conducted in early April amid rising geopolitical tensions that have pushed up oil prices and fuel costs, adding another layer of pressure to an already strained economic outlook.
While confidence remains above the lows seen during peak inflation in 2022, the latest drop underscores how quickly sentiment can shift — and how fragile Americans’ outlook on the economy remains.
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