WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although a broad majority of Americans (63%) remain dissatisfied with the direction of the U.S., the percentage who say they are satisfied has edged up five percentage points since last month to 36%, its highest point since last fall.
This latest satisfaction reading, from a May 1-12 Gallup poll, is on the high end of the recent trend, which hadn’t surpassed 35% since last October, nor hit 40% since 2005. The public’s improved perceptions of the job market in the country may be behind the latest increase in general satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S.
Yet, this reading remains sharply polarized, as Republicans are nearly five times as likely as Democrats to say they are satisfied with the direction of the U.S., 62% to 13%.
At the same time, government (23%) and immigration (19%) continue to top the list of issues cited as the most important problems facing the country, as they have done recently.
By Megan Brenan
