National Conditions

Americans’ views of politics and elected officials are unrelentingly negative, with little hope of improvement on the horizon. 65% of Americans say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics. By contrast, just 10% say they always or often feel hopeful about politics.

63% of Americans are pessimistic about the country’s moral and ethical standards, and 59% are pessimistic about its education system.

The share of Americans who say the United States stands above all other nations in the world has declined modestly over the past four years.

People around the world see both strengths and flaws in the U.S., but they generally view the U.S. positively, according to a new survey of 24 countries.

Democrats hold the edge on many issues, but more Americans agree with Republicans on the economy, crime and immigration. Inflation remains the top concern for Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, with 77% saying it is a very big problem. For Democrats and Democratic leaners, gun violence is the top concern, with about 81% saying it is a very big problem.

Across the nations surveyed, a median of 62% of adults – including 63% in the United States – say their country will be better off if it is open to changes.

When Americans look ahead to 2050, they see a country that in many respects will be worse than it is today.

Americans express highly negative views of President Joe Biden, congressional leadership in both parties and Congress more broadly. Views of the economy remain overwhelmingly negative, and there has been a sharp rise in the share who say the country cannot solve many of its important problems.

A median of 68% across 19 countries think their country has done a good job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, with majorities saying this in every country surveyed except Japan. However, most also believe the pandemic has created greater divisions in their societies and exposed weaknesses in their political systems – and these view are especially common in the U.S.

Americans’ views vary when it comes to how they see the United States’ standing in the world and the state of its democracy.