Continual inflation has hurt Americans, with roughly two-thirds of them reporting their wages cannot keep up, according to the most recent CNBC All-America Economic Survey.
Only 5% of Americans say their household income is outpacing inflation, with 67% stating it is falling behind and 26% saying it is keeping up, according to CNBC. The vast majority of the public is adjusting their spending habits and lifestyles due to inflation, with 81% saying they are taking measures like reducing entertainment spending and travel or dipping into savings to cover expenses.
Inflation disproportionately impacted working-class Americans, with 51% saying they are working more in order to get by, according to CNBC. Three-quarters of them report they are reducing entertainment and eating out less.
54% of Americans across the board said that the increase in food costs damaged them the most, according to CNBC.
In addition to inflation, hiked interest rates and concerns about a recession have led Americans to reach a new level of pessimism about the economy, according to CNBC. Nearly 69% of them have a negative outlook both currently and for the future, which is the highest percentage in the 17-year history of the survey.
Two-thirds of the public state the country is moving toward a recession or is currently in one, according to CNBC.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy and inflation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Biden spoke on his Administration’s actions to lower the inflation rate, reduce gas prices and create manufacturing jobs for Americans. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The economic pessimism is hurting President Joe Biden’s approval rating, with his overall rating dropping to 39% and his disapproval rating rising to 55% when compared to CNBC’s last survey in November. The public disapproves of Biden’s economic management by a 62% to 24% margin as opposed to 57% to 38% in the previous survey.
The first quarter of 2023 was the fifth consecutive quarter where small business owners perceived inflation as their biggest challenge, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife’s Small Business Index.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.