WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' confidence in the U.S. job market is the highest in Gallup's trend originating in 2001, with 71% in May saying now is a good time to find a quality job. This represents a significant improvement from March and April, when 65% each month rated the job market favorably. Today's level is similar to February's 69% reading.
Worker Job Perceptions Also Strong
A pre-2001 comparison is possible using data collected by the University of Connecticut and Rutgers University, which asked the same question but only among those in the U.S. workforce (those who are employed or who are unemployed and looking for work) rather than of all Americans. The Connecticut/Rutgers U.S. workforce trend originates in 1998, a few years earlier than the Gallup national adult trend.
As Gallup has found, historically, those in the workforce are a bit more positive today about the job market than are all U.S. adults: 74% vs. 71%, respectively, say now is a good time to find a quality job. That 74% of workers rating the job market positively is also the highest in Gallup's trend since 2001, but it is not quite as high as the 76% and 78% readings found in 2000 by Connecticut and Rutgers.
Economic Ratings Remain in Positive Holding Pattern
Americans' broader perceptions of the U.S. economy in May are similar to what Gallup has found over much of the past year, including in March and April.
- 51% of Americans rate current economic conditions as excellent or good, essentially unchanged from last month's 50%.
- Just over half of U.S. adults, 54%, say economic conditions are getting better. This is up from 49% in April, but nearly identical to February and March.
Both metrics have been fairly steady over the past year, except for a dip in confidence around the time of the federal government shutdown, in December and January.
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