What's happening:
Even with inflation slowing and consumer confidence inching upward, Americans remain divided on how much those improvements reflect their own lives. When shown economic indicators such as the unemployment rate, wage growth, and inflation rate, many respondents said the numbers didn’t match their day-to-day experience. And in hindsight, they may have been right.
This survey was conducted before recent revisions revealed that job numbers were overstated, yet this highlights how even though official numbers may shift, people’s perceptions are rooted in daily realities.
The takeaway is clear: Americans put more weight on their lived experiences than on official measures. And those experiences are filtered through identity, with age, gender, and politics adding another layer to how people feel about the economy. Often, it is these personal perspectives that matter more than the numbers themselves.
What we found:
- Only 23% of respondents felt the economic indicators presented to them matched their personal financial experience.
- Men (55%) were significantly more likely to rate the health of the economy as “good” or “excellent” compared to women (29%).
- Millennials are the most optimistic group, with 56% rating the current economy as “good” or “excellent”.
- Perceptions also varied by politics: When evaluating the perceived sentiment of others, 45% of Republicans feel that current consumers are generally “somewhat” or “very” optimistic, compared to 27% of Democrats.
Why it matters:
The perception gap around the economy shows that facts alone don’t drive sentiment. Even before official numbers were revised, many people already felt that the economic picture didn’t fully reflect their reality. For brands, the lesson is that credibility comes from recognizing lived experience, not just echoing headlines. Messages that acknowledge everyday pressures and offer reassurance or empowerment are more likely to resonate. In a climate where people trust their instincts over statistics, relatability is the currency that builds connection and trust.
(N=1,023, MoE ±3.06%, 95% CI,
Data Collected: July 11-12 2025)
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