Employment optimism among workforce is highest since 2000; Most Americans are feeling optimistic about their finances; Majorities of Americans rate economy positively and say it’s improving
DESPARDES — Amid trade war with China and apprehensions that it will hurt consumers and slow down US economy , the Trump Administration finds itself getting a fairly good score on job market conditions. An average American’s perception of economic direction has also been positive: Economic ratings remain in positive holding pattern, reveals latest poll.
As for the job market in US, pollster Gallup said Tuesday more Americans are confident in it than they’ve been at any other time in the history of the poll.
The survey showed 71 percent of respondents said now is a good time to find a job in the United States. That’s the highest figure since Gallup first began asking the question in 2001.
The poll numbers come at a time of historic unemployment, relatively good job numbers and a strong economy. Last month, the U.S. economy added 263,000 jobs, blowing past expectations.
Americans’ broader perceptions of the U.S. economy in May are similar to what Gallup has found over much of the past year, including in March and April.
A slim majority, 51 percent, in Gallup’s survey rated current economic conditions as excellent or good.
Gallup surveyed more than 1,000 people May 1-12.
Back in February, the pollster’s survey showed that:
- 69% expect their financial situation to improve over the next year
- Optimism about finances over the next year is almost at a record-high level
- 50% say they are in better shape financially than a year ago
The report said Americans’ optimism about their personal finances has climbed to levels not seen in more than 16 years, with 69% now saying they expect to be financially better off “at this time next year.”
The 69% saying they expect to be better off is only two percentage points below the all-time high of 71%, recorded in March 1998 at a time when the nation’s economic boom was producing strong economic growth combined with the lowest inflation and unemployment rates in decades.
This time, the confidence level of Americans in job market and personal finances comes amid ongoing US-China trade tariff tussle that the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says risks damaging US economy and its intensification could likely knock almost $600bn off world economy.
