As 2024 comes to a close, just 19% of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction, reflecting widespread concerns over economic challenges, political polarization, and social issues that have shaped the national conversation throughout the year.
According to Gallup's latest monthly survey, there is a deep-rooted pessimism among Americans about their country, with satisfaction levels dropping from 26% in October to 19% in December.
You'd have to go back two decades to find a time when half of Americans felt the U.S. was on the right track.
The last time even 30% of Americans felt the U.S. was heading in the right direction was summer 2021.
"Since at least 2010, the nation has been in a public opinion rut. Presidential job approval has rarely exceeded 50%, and congressional job approval hasn't exceeded 36%. And, except for a brief period before the start of the pandemic in 2020, less than 40% have been satisfied with the direction of the country," Lydia Saad wrote for Gallup.
For comparison, Gallup's highest recorded satisfaction level was 71% in February 1999, while the lowest was just 7% in October 2008, during the financial crisis, per Axios.
Many Americans feel disconnected from the decisions shaping their lives and uncertain about the future, leading to widespread pessimism about the nation's trajectory. From financial struggles to deep political divides, it seems like a lot of Americans are worried about what the future holds.
Despite a fairly positive economic trajectory, the overall sentiment as the year ends remains negative. Among the key issues Americans identify as the most pressing problems facing the country, 20% cite the government, 17% mention immigration, 15% point to the economy in general, and 11% highlight inflation.
Although economic confidence has improved, other key metrics have not, "leaving Americans in a mostly glum mood as Biden exits the White House and Trump prepares to make his mark as the nation's 47th president," Saad wrote.
By party affiliation, Republicans are the least satisfied with the state of the country, with just 9% expressing approval. Independents follow at 20%, while Democrats are the most content, with 30% expressing satisfaction, according to Gallup.