Index Summary
With concerns about the U.S. economy front and center, the America Now: National Outlook Index (ANI) has notched down slightly from 6.5 to 6.4. Americans have grown more pessimistic about their personal household finances and the consumer market, pulling down the Economic Index. Impressions about their health and community continue to bolster the ANI while Americans are tepid about society and government.
Learn More about the America Now Index
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Economic Outlook Summary
With pocketbook issues at the fore, Americans’ outlook about the economy has become slightly more pessimistic. Pessimism has grown about Americans’ personal finances, whether this is a good time to make purchases or investments, and the jobs market. They remain cautious about their future financial situation.
good time financially
next few months
jobs right now
good time to make purchase
HEALTH OUTLOOK
Health Outlook Summary
Americans have consistently had a positive outlook about their personal health. They consider themselves to be in excellent health and are happy with the life they are living. Though still satisfied with their access to health care, optimism has waned on this indicator. Impressions about the risk to their health right now have levelled off at 6.6.
excellent health
happy with life
little risk to health
satisfied with access
COMMUNITY OUTLOOK
Community Outlook Summary
The Community Outlook Index continues to bolster the ANI. Americans are satisfied with and feel safe in the area in which they live. Though lower than other community indicators, Americans are more positive than negative about their community’s values and beliefs and the impact they can have in their communities.
satisfied with where you live
can have an impact
community values
feel safe
SOCIETY & GOVERNMENT OUTLOOK
Society & Government Outlook Summary
Americans remain mixed about society and government. Despite a slight decline, Americans perceive the opportunities afforded to them to be equitable. They also believe future generations will have a better life than they do. However, they are more pessimistic about people in leadership positions and do not believe society is fair and just.
leadership working for people like you
access to same opportunities
kids will have a better life
society is fair and just
ABOUT THE AMERICA NOW INDEX
The Marist Poll’s America Now Index provides insight into Americans’ experiences and expectations for the future. Attitudes are measured along a scale of 0 to 10 with “0” indicating the lowest negative point of the scale and “10” noting the highest positive point.
HOW THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED
Nature of the Sample: Marist Poll of 1,170 National Adults
This survey of 1,170 adults was conducted March 22nd through March 29th, 2022 by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the contiguous United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed by telephone using live interviewers. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. Mobile telephone numbers were randomly selected based upon a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. Mobile phones are treated as individual devices. After validation of age, personal ownership, and non-business-use of the mobile phone, interviews are typically conducted with the person answering the phone. To increase coverage, this mobile sample was supplemented by respondents reached through random dialing of landline phone numbers. Within each landline household, a single respondent is selected through a random selection process to increase the representativeness of traditionally under-covered survey populations. The samples were then combined and balanced to reflect the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates for age, gender, income, race, and region. Results are statistically significant within ±3.7 percentage points. There are 1,046 registered voters. The results for this subset are statistically significant within ±3.9 percentage points. It should be noted that although you may not see results listed for a certain group, it does not mean interviews were not completed with those individuals. It simply means the sample size is too small to report. The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations.
The Marist Poll America Now: National Outlook Index is reported on a 0 to 10 scale. A mean score for each sub-index statement was calculated. Overall economic, health, community, and society & government indices are derived by calculating an overall mean based on responses to the four sub-index questions in each category. The overall Marist Poll America Now: National Outlook Index is derived by calculating an overall mean based on responses to all sixteen sub-index questions.
Respondents were asked:
Please let me know how much you agree or disagree with each of the following:
Economic
A. This is a good time financially for your household
B. You expect the next few months to be better financially for your household
C. Jobs right now are easy to find
D. This is a good time to make purchases or investments
Health
E. You, yourself, are in excellent health
F. You are happy with the life you are living right now
G. There is little risk to your health right now
H. You are satisfied with your access to health care
Community
I. You are satisfied with the area where you live
J. You can have an impact in making your community a better place
K. You are satisfied with your community’s values and beliefs
L. You feel safe where you live
Society & Government
M. Those in leadership positions are working to make life better for people like you
N. You feel you have access to the same opportunities as everyone else
O. Your children and grandchildren will have a better life than you
P. You feel you live in a society that is fair and just