Americans Express Doubts on Job Market Amid Inflation Struggles

Sun Oct 19 2025 19:11:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent AP-NORC poll reveals rising concerns among Americans about their job prospects and financial stability as inflation and the job market face challenges under President Donald Trump.

The latest AP-NORC poll suggests growing unease among U.S. adults regarding their job security and financial situations. With inflation persisting and job confidence waning, nearly half of adults feel they could struggle to secure good employment. Many blame rising costs of essentials on economic policies, including tariffs. As the landscape shifts, these sentiments could pose challenges for Republicans in upcoming elections.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rising unease grips U.S. citizens regarding their prospects for securing quality employment as inflation continues to be a pressing concern, according to a recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they are 'not very' or 'not at all confident' about finding a good job if needed, a sharp increase from October.

Essential living costs, including groceries, housing, and healthcare, remain substantial stressors for many families, with concerns over heightened utility bills compounding financial anxieties. The poll found that confidence in landing good jobs plummeted, with only 21% of adults feeling 'extremely' or 'very' confident they would find work.

Amid concerns over tariffs and their economic implications, only 36% of adults expressed approval of President Trump's economic handling, potentially foreshadowing challenges for Republican campaigns in the upcoming governor races and the 2026 midterms.

A broad spectrum of the population is expressing concern as inflation has impacted everyday costs significantly. A closer analysis reveals that households are feeling the pinch from multiple angles, reflecting an unsettled economic environment. As 63% of adults express doubt about their ability to purchase homes and 52% lack confidence in saving for retirement, the specter of financial uncertainty looms larger.

Moreover, the issue of energy costs is emerging as a significant concern, with about 68% of U.S. adults assessing the current economy as 'poor', while only a small fraction report feeling that their finances are improving.

Despite an overall sense of economic stability reflected in unemployment rates and moderate growth, this disconnect points to a widespread sentiment of economic precarity among Americans, indicating potential hurdles for political leaders navigating this uncertain landscape.