Unemployment Top Problem In The U.S.

Unemployment edges out the economy as the top problem for Americans

Unemployment is the Number 1 problem facing Americans today. Nearly one in four Americans rank jobs and unemployment as the most important problem according to a according to a February 2014 poll by Gallup*. This figure is up from 16 percent in January 2014. The government and politicians had been at the top of the list since the government shutdown in October.

When asked “What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?” the top two responses were: Unemployment/Jobs at 23 percent and the Economy in general at 20 percent.

Respondents also noted dissatisfaction with the government (19 percent), poor healthcare (15 percent) and the Federal Budget deficit (8 percent) among their top five concerns.

Concerns did differ depending on political party identification. While Democrats, Independents and Republicans all ranked Unemployment/Jobs as the top problem, at 24 percent, 23 percent and 24 percent respectively. Only 17 percent of Republicans, compared to 22 percent of Democrats and 21 percent of Independents, considered the economy as a top concern.

*Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Feb. 6-9, 2014, on the Gallup Daily tracking survey, with a random sample of 1,023 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. To read the complete report visit Gallup.