Majorities of adults see decline of union membership as bad for the U.S. and working people
The share of U.S. workers who belonged to a union in 2023 stood at 10%, down from 1983 when 20.1% of American workers were union members.
From Businesses and Banks to Colleges and Churches: Americans’ Views of U.S. Institutions
Americans overwhelmingly see small businesses as having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country. By contrast, their views of large corporations are broadly negative. And most people – including identical shares in both parties – are critical of the impact of banks and financial institutions.
About one-in-six U.S. journalists at news outlets are part of a union; many more would join one if they could
41% of U.S. journalists who are employed at least part time at a news outlet say they would join a union if it were available to them.
How the political typology groups compare
Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.
Majorities of Americans say unions have a positive effect on U.S. and that decline in union membership is bad
A narrow majority of Americans continue to say labor unions have a positive effect on the way things are going in the United States.
Amazon vote comes amid recent uptick in U.S. unionization rate
Union membership has had a somewhat unexpected – but likely temporary – turnaround amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Most Americans view unions favorably, though few workers belong to one
Most Americans like labor unions, at least in the abstract. A majority (55%) holds a favorable view of unions, versus 33% who hold an unfavorable view, according to a Pew Research Center survey from earlier this year. Despite those fairly benign views, unionization rates in the United States have dwindled in recent decades. As of 2017, just 10.7% of all wage and salary workers were union members, matching the record low set in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More Americans view long-term decline in union membership negatively than positively
The number of Americans represented by labor unions has decreased substantially since the 1950s, and a new survey finds that the decline is seen more negatively than positively by U.S. adults. The survey also finds that 55% of Americans have a favorable impression of unions, with about as many (53%) viewing business corporations favorably.
Facts on Foreign Students in the U.S.
The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.
Most Americans see labor unions, corporations favorably
Americans’ views of both labor unions and business corporations have grown more positive since March 2015.
