Economic Conditions

One child in 10 in the United States lives with a grandparent, a share that increased slowly and steadily over the past decade before rising sharply from 2007 to 2008, the first year of the Great Recession.

Workers who suffered a spell of unemployment during Great Recession are, on average, less satisfied with their new jobs than workers who didn't. They are more likely to consider themselves over-qualified for their current position.

Roughly four-in-ten Americans who spent some time unemployed during the recession say they experienced a strain in family relations while out of work.

Close to half of all Americans who spent some time unemployed during the recession say they enjoyed not having to work for a while.

Overview While most Americans disapprove of Barack Obama’s handling of the economy, far more think his administration’s policies – rather than those of the Bush administration – would do more to improve economic conditions over the next few years. As Congress gears up for debate over the tax cuts passed when Bush was president, the […]

Long-term unemployment takes a much deeper toll than short-term unemployment on a person's finances, emotional well-being and career prospects.

Overview The public sees clear winners and losers from the economic policies the government has implemented since the recession of 2008. Most Americans say these policies have helped large banks, large corporations and the wealthy, while providing little or no help for the poor, the middle class or small businesses. Fully 74% say that government […]

A majority of Americans say that the economy is still in a recession.

More than six-in-ten Americans have cut back on household spending since the recession began.

Overview The public overwhelmingly views the job situation as a major priority for Congress during the coming months. Fully 80% say it is very important for Congress to pass legislation to address the job situation, which is virtually unchanged from May (81%). Somewhat fewer (70%) say it is very important for Congress to reduce the […]