Majority feel they don’t have a good chance of improving their standard of living
Washington, D.C., July 16, 2026 – The initial release of a new Washington Post/Ipsos poll finds that 59% of Americans say they do not think people like them and their family have a good chance at improving their standard of living, compared to 40% that do. In addition, 48% also say they expect the nation’s economy to get worse in the next year (20% better, 31% stay about the same).
This economic pessimism also extends to views on gas prices, with 59% saying they are not confident that negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran war will bring gas prices down to normal.
The poll also covers views of President Donald Trump’s handling of his job as president, finding that his overall approval rating and his approval rating on the economy remain stable compared to April.
About the Study
This poll was jointly sponsored and funded by The Washington Post and Ipsos. The poll includes a random sample of 2,648 U.S. adults. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish.
The questionnaire was administered with the exact questions in the exact order as they appear in this document. Demographic questions are not shown. If a question was asked of a reduced base of the sample, a parenthetical preceding the question identifies the group asked. Phrases surrounded by parentheticals within questions indicate clauses that were randomly rotated for respondents.
Ipsos conducted sampling, interviewing and tabulation for the survey using the KnowledgePanel, a nationwide survey panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. KnowledgePanel members are recruited through probability sampling methods using address-based sampling. Panel members who do not have internet access are provided with a tablet and internet service. KnowledgePanel members receive a per survey incentive, usually the equivalent of $1 (though for some it is $2) in points that can be redeemed for cash or prizes.
In this poll, invitations were sent to 3,861 panelists, resulting in 2,699 completed interviews. In quality control, 51 respondents were removed for skipping half or more of the questions for which they were eligible or for completing the survey among the fastest 1 percent of interviews.
Ipsos used probability-proportional-to-size sampling to draw a national sample of adults using the KnowledgePanel matching U.S. population benchmarks. This survey uses statistical weighting procedures to account for deviations in the survey sample from known population characteristics, which helps correct for differential survey participation and random variation in samples.
The following table shows unweighted, weighted and benchmark values for weighting variables:
| Unweighted | Weighted | Benchmark | |
| Age by sex | % | % | % |
| 18-29, Male | 8.6 | 10.1 | 10.1 |
| 18-29, Female | 8.1 | 9.9 | 9.9 |
| 30-44, Male | 12.4 | 13.1 | 13.1 |
| 30-44, Female | 11.7 | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| 45-59, Male | 11.5 | 11.3 | 11.3 |
| 45-59, Female | 11.2 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| 60+, Male | 17.7 | 14.4 | 14.4 |
| 60+, Female | 18.8 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Race/ethnicity | |||
| White/Non-Hispanic | 64.0 | 59.9 | 59.9 |
| Black/Non-Hispanic | 11.5 | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Other or 2+ Races/Non-Hispanic | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Hispanic | 15.3 | 18.4 | 18.4 |
| Education | |||
| Less than HS | 7.5 | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| HS graduate or equivalent | 27.5 | 28.3 | 28.4 |
| Some college | 25.8 | 26.2 | 26.2 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.6 | 22.7 | 22.7 |
| Master’s or above | 15.6 | 13.6 | 13.6 |
| Region by metro status | |||
| Northeast, metro | 16.2 | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Northeast, non-metro | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Midwest, metro | 17.0 | 16.2 | 16.2 |
| Midwest, non-metro | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| South, metro | 33.6 | 33.2 | 33.2 |
| South, non-metro | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| West, metro | 20.1 | 21.4 | 21.4 |
| West, non-metro | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Household income | |||
| Under $25,000 | 7.9 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| $25,000-$49,999 | 13.1 | 13.5 | 13.5 |
| $50,000-$74,999 | 14.1 | 14.1 | 14.1 |
| $75,000-$99,999 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.2 |
| $100,000-$149,999 | 20.0 | 18.6 | 18.6 |
| $150,000 and over | 32.7 | 32.4 | 32.4 |
| Language dominance | |||
| Not Hispanic | 84.7 | 81.6 | 81.6 |
| Hispanic - English dominant | 4.5 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Hispanic - Bilingual | 7.9 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Hispanic - Spanish dominant | 3.0 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| 2024 presidential vote | |||
| Donald Trump | 33.3 | 29.5 | 29.5 |
| Kamala Harris | 31.5 | 28.6 | 28.6 |
| Another candidate | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Did not vote/Refused | 34.2 | 40.9 | 40.9 |
| Party identification | |||
| Democrat | 29.5 | 27.9 | 27.9 |
| Ind/Other – lean Democrat | 17.2 | 19.0 | 19.0 |
| Refused to lean | 6.1 | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Ind/Other – lean Republican | 14.8 | 14.8 | 14.8 |
| Republican | 32.5 | 30.1 | 30.1 |
Sources:
- Census Bureau Current Population Survey 2025 March Supplement (age by sex, race/ethnicity,
education, region by metro status, household income)
- Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey (language dominance)
- Associated Press tabulation of certified results (2024 presidential vote)
Political party identification benchmarks are from the 2025 NPORS annual survey, with a midyear adjustment estimated across aggregated KnowledgePanel surveys accounting for changes in panelists’ party identification over time.
All error margins have been adjusted to account for the survey’s design effect, which is 1.04 for this survey. The design effect is a factor representing the survey’s deviation from a simple random sample and takes into account decreases in precision due to sample design and weighting procedures.
The Washington Post and Ipsos are charter members of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, which recognizes organizations that disclose key methodological details on the research they produce.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
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Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
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