Most Americans are more preoccupied with affording necessities like food, healthcare, and housing than with the fluctuations of the stock market, according to a July survey by the Pew Research Center. The poll revealed that 69% of respondents are "very concerned" about healthcare costs, followed closely by 66% concerned about food and consumer goods prices, and 64% worried about housing expenses.
In contrast, only 18% of those surveyed reported being "very concerned" about the performance of the stock market. This sentiment holds across party lines, with stock market worries being consistent among Democrats and Republicans. However, partisan divides are more apparent on other economic issues.
Democrats showed a greater level of concern than Republicans regarding unemployment, with 57% of Democrats expressing high concern compared to 29% of Republicans. Both parties showed only slightly differing levels of concern regarding gas prices, electricity prices, and the economic impact of artificial intelligence.
The survey, which included 3,554 American adults and was conducted between July 6 and July 12, also indicated a sustained pessimism about the economy, which has persisted since early 2020. A majority of respondents, 60%, believe that current economic policies are negatively impacting the economy. This view is strongly partisan, with 89% of Democrats holding this opinion, compared to 28% of Republicans.
Even among Republicans, there's a noted decrease in optimism regarding the economy's direction. Only 42% of Republicans believe the current policies are improving the economy, a drop from 57% in late January, prior to a rise in gas prices attributed to geopolitical events.
Despite these economic concerns, a Pew Research Center analysis notes that 62% of Americans reported owning stock in 2025, a figure that has remained relatively stable since the late 1990s. This indicates a disconnect between broad economic anxieties and personal investment ownership.