Economic Anxiety Surges Amid War and Prices

0:00It's April 23rd. This is Tampa Bay News today, AI powered stories from your sitting. Americans are feeling more down about the economy than last month, based on a fresh Gallup poll from April 1st to 15th. 47% now, call current conditions poor, up from 40% in March, while just 21% say excellent or good. And 73% believe things are getting worse, compared to only 23% who think they're improving. That's the gloomiest. Outlook since October 2023. This drop comes amid the war between Iran, the U.S. and Israel that's been raging since February 28th. Fighting has blocked shipping through the straight-of-form moves, sending global oil prices and U.S. gas costs through the roof, hitting everyday wallets, hard. Even Republicans, who usually feel better with their party in the White House, saw their economic confidence score, plunge 15 points from March 2. April the biggest slide of any group, independence and Democrats were already negative last month, and it's only worsened across the board.

1:03On specifics, only 33% think it's a good time to hunt for a quality job, while 63% say it's a bad time. Folks name top worries, like the economy in general, at 13%, inflation, and living costs at 11%. Plus immigration, and the middle. East wartime for 11% and 8%. Gallup's numbers paint a clear picture of rising anxiety fueled by war and prices. Folks are bracing for tougher times ahead as these pressures keep building.