Are Americans feeling better about the economy? Depends on who you ask.
As the days grow longer and iced coffee orders multiply, one thing is clear: summer is here. But along with the sunshine comes a subtle shift in how Americans are feeling about the economy—and what they’re doing about it.
Between March and June, our SSRS Economic Attitudes Tracker captured a measurable softening in economic pessimism. Fewer Americans are calling the economy “bad,” and—though concern remains high—worry has ticked down ever so slightly. So, what’s behind this cautious change in tone?
A few factors may be influencing the mood. Seasonal optimism likely plays a role—warmer weather and summer routines can offer psychological relief after a long winter, and spending time outdoors is a cost-effective mood booster.
More tangibly, some of the economic fears that loomed in the spring, such as new tariffs, have yet to have a major impact. For consumers watching prices and news headlines closely, that pause may have offered a temporary sense of reprieve. Additionally, this survey was fielded before the Iran bombing, when gas prices had remained relatively stable heading into summer, easing pressure on household budgets at a time when many Americans are hitting the road or planning seasonal travel.
We also know that media narratives shape sentiment. A cooling inflation report, a solid jobs update, or even a moment of political calm can collectively nudge public opinion, especially in an environment where many are hyper-aware of every financial headline. When the economic forecast isn’t worsening, people may start to feel like it’s getting better.
Still, the story is far from a feel-good turnaround. While fewer people say the economy is “bad,” many remain highly anxious. People are still cutting back on spending, still worried about the cost of living, and still bracing for a possible recession.
Why does this matter? Because consumer attitudes are more than just feelings—they’re early indicators. They shape behavior, drive business trends, and ripple through the economy in ways that impact every sector.
If you want to understand where the economy is going next, start by understanding how people are feeling right now. That’s exactly what this wave of research helps uncover.
Here’s what we found:
Key Finding #1: The economic mood has improved—but just a little.
In June, 49% of Americans rated the U.S. economy as “bad,” down from 57% in March. While that’s still a sizable share, this shift suggests that some of the sharp pessimism we saw earlier in the year is starting to soften. A few likely factors are contributing to the mood shift: gas prices have remained relatively stable heading into summer, inflation hasn’t spiked dramatically, and for many, the absence of any new economic shocks has created a moment of cautious calm. It’s not really optimism—it’s easing panic.
Key Finding #2: Americans are still deeply worried about a recession.
Economic anxiety remains deeply rooted, with 58% of Americans continuing to believe the U.S. is heading into a recession—virtually unchanged from 61% in March. This persistent belief seems less about people’s personal circumstances and more about the broader environment: media coverage continues to signal uncertainty, and many Americans are absorbing that sense of unease, even if they haven’t yet felt a direct impact. The threat of a downturn still looms large in the national psyche.
Key Finding #3: White Americans show a notable decline in negative ratings, but other groups aren’t moving.
The largest shift in economic sentiment came from White, non-Hispanic Americans, whose negative rating of the U.S. economy dropped by 13 percentage points between March and June. In contrast, views among Black Americans declined only slightly, and ratings among Hispanic Americans actually inched up. While we can’t say definitively why this shift occurred, it raises important questions: Are different groups experiencing economic conditions differently? Are media narratives resonating more strongly with some populations than others? Or are certain communities simply more skeptical, based on long-term economic exclusion? The gap in perception underscores the importance of comprehensive data—and reminds us that “the public” is never just one voice.
Key Finding #4: Personal finances are holding steady, but anxiety is climbing.
Americans’ evaluations of their own financial situations haven’t changed: 42% rate their finances as “good” in both March and June. But beneath that surface-level stability, anxiety about one’s own situation is rising. Concern about personal finances rose slightly from 58% to 62%, and cost of living concerns increased slightly to 78%—with a statistically significant rise in those saying they’re very worried. It’s a revealing disconnect: people aren’t necessarily earning less, but they’re feeling more vulnerable. The emotional toll of navigating high prices and financial uncertainty is growing. Persistent expenses like rent, groceries, and medical bills may be eating into household budgets, creating a disconnect between macroeconomic headlines and everyday financial reality — indicating that many individuals don’t necessarily feel those improvements at home.
Key Finding #5: Americans are cutting back, and those choices could ripple across industries.
In the past three months, many have taken steps to reduce spending: 61% are lowering utility use, 52% are changing grocery habits, 49% are cutting entertainment or extras, and 49% are dining out less. Others are delaying travel (38%), home (34%) and car repairs (32%), and even healthcare (29%). These aren’t just short-term belt-tightening measures—they reflect cautious, protective behavior that could signal slowed consumer activity across sectors from retail to healthcare to services.
So, What Does This Mean for You?
The takeaway? Overall, anxieties may have eased slightly, but Americans are far from carefree. Understanding these perceptions isn’t just good business, it’s essential for shaping strategies, messaging, product offerings, and policies that actually resonate with the public.
This is the kind of insight that helps organizations stay ahead of the curve—and that’s where we come in. At SSRS, we combine nationally representative, probability-based data with deep expertise to help our partners ask the right questions, interpret the answers, and act with confidence.
If these insights sparked your curiosity, let’s talk about how custom research can move your mission forward. The only thing more powerful than data is knowing what to do with it.
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Methodology
Wave 2 of this study was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data collection was conducted from June 6 – June 10, 2025 among a sample of 1,029 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n=999) and telephone (n=30) and administered in English (n=1,004) and Spanish (n=25). The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. The design effect is 1.29. All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus data are weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 or older.
