Opinion on the economic future of the United States, by social class 2012

This statistic shows the results of a survey among American adults on how they see the United states' long-term economic future. The survey was conducted in July 2012, shortly before the presidential election. 11 percent of Americans who define themselves as members of the middle class stated they were very optimistic about the United States' economic future, while 9 percent of Americans belonging to the lower class stated the same.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the country's long-term economic future? (by social class, United States, 2012)

Characteristic	Upper class	Middle class	Lower class
Very optimistic	11%	11%	9%
Somewhat optimistic	46%	44%	29%
Somewhat pessimistic	27%	25%	27%
Very pessimistic	13%	17%	28%
Both equally / mixed	1%	1%	2%
Don't know / refused	1%	3%	5%

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Release date

August 2012

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

July 16-26, 2012

Number of respondents

2,508 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Telephone interview

Supplementary notes

The source poses the original questions as follows: "Thinking now about the country’s long-term economic future, would you say you are very optimistic, somewhat optimistic, somewhat pessimistic or very pessimistic??"

Number of respondents per class:
Upper class = 507
Middle class = 1,287
Lower class = 670.

The source asked the respondents if they define themselves as lower, middle and upper class. For details, please see page 123 at the source.

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