The U.S. economy is flashing some warning lights—GDP growth is down, inflation is holding steady above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target rate, and consumer confidence is down. That combination could spell trouble for workers, but jobs numbers are still good and unemployment is low, so things are fine, right?
Things have not been fine for American workers for quite some time. In the last few years, surveys have consistently shown that Americans view the economy negatively. Those results are typically followed by experts and political elites saying, “Well, actually, there’s no problem,” as they point to macro statistics on inflation’s decline from its pandemic-era highs and low unemployment.
It’s also been easy to push back on poll results since many surveys only ask a single vague question on Americans’ views of the economy—or maybe a couple of questions about their personal financial situations. Maybe the survey is wrong. Or maybe people misunderstood the questions. Or they just don’t know how great things really are! I’ve seen and heard all of these arguments until I want to throw expensive eggs at the next person who says it.
The reality is that Americans are struggling. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown this week launched the Dignity of Work Institute, an extension of his longtime focus on workers and their needs. As part of the launch, the institute released a survey illustrating in great detail how and why people still can’t get ahead, even as they work ridiculously hard. (Full disclosure: I am on the research team that conducted the survey.)
Let’s start with something simple that illustrates where the official statistics falter: The survey shows that 8 percent of Americans are unemployed, whereas official statistics show half that. The difference? Official unemployment statistics only count as unemployed those who are actively looking for work. We count anyone who says they are unemployed and not retired, a student, or a homemaker. Not so rosy a picture as official statistics would have us believe.
The jobs report—the number of jobs added and payrolls—makes it look as though people should be able to find jobs. Indeed, many can. But often, it’s not enough. Sixty percent of Americans have worked more than one job at some point in their life; 30 percent have worked three or more.
Dozens of the survey’s questions dig into what makes things difficult for Americans. Respondents were permitted to reply in their own words, without pre-provided answer options. The most common answers? The cost of living is unaffordable. They need higher incomes. There is too much money going out and too little money coming in.
The downstream effects of this crush are devastating. Only 40 percent of workers are salaried employees, and the rest have to hope that there is work available to earn hourly wages or do contract or gig work. Too many have to rely on credit cards for necessities but can’t pay the full balances. An unexpected $1,000 expense would completely break about 3 in 10 Americans, and well under half could comfortably afford it.
Despite prolific narratives about young men’s difficulties in society, these data show that it is women under age 50 who face the most substantial challenges staying afloat. Mothers and women of color face particularly tough situations, as do women who don’t have a four-year college degree. We rarely even see their struggles because they are working too hard to have a voice in the debate.
These numbers show Americans struggling in our economy, feeling betrayed and left behind. They are so cynical about the current system that half think the economy has to change a lot for them to be able to get ahead. Three in 10 say it needs to be completely overhauled for them to have a chance.
The idea that people are generally fine because some macro statistics show decent numbers is ludicrous, and we would do well to stop listening to anyone who claims otherwise. These are the real stories of American life. It is not easy—stagnated wages and rising costs mean that people fall further behind.
We need to keep listening to Americans in detail, not just in surface-level survey questions. That’s the only way we will know if their lives are improving. But someone has to do something that will make that change happen, and right now, the job is open.
Contributing editor Natalie Jackson is a vice president at GQR Research.
This column was originally published on April 1 2025, on nationaljournal.com and is owned by and licensed from National Journal Group LLC.