WASHINGTON (AP) — According to recent international polling from Gallup, Americans are uniquely anxious about their political system compared to citizens of other wealthy nations. Approximately one-third of Americans identified politics and government as the nation's most pressing issue, a level of concern surpassed only by Taiwan and similar to that of Slovenia, Spain, and South Korea.
The situation is even more pronounced among younger Americans, who exhibit significant anxiety over economic matters. They are more likely than their peers in many of the 107 countries surveyed to express worry regarding issues such as affordability and economic stability. This trend highlights a specific anxiety about the feasibility of achieving economic progress in a changing landscape.
"It's really unique in that regard," stated Benedict Vigers of Gallup, emphasizing the U.S. position in the survey conducted from March to October 2025. The political landscape has evolved over decades of growing partisan polarization, which has been driven by events such as the presidency of Donald Trump, the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, and ongoing debates about the effectiveness of legal measures against Trump during Joe Biden's administration.
Gallup findings also illustrate how economic anxiety can affect the integrity of democratic systems. Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist from Dartmouth, argued that a populace lacking optimism about their economic futures is likely to destabilize their institutions. This environment can erode faith in democratic governance, creating a feedback loop of discontent.
Concerns about economic stability are particularly pronounced among Americans aged 35 and under. This demographic prioritizes economic issues, including the affordability of food and housing, over political concerns. While approximately one-third of younger Americans identified economic factors as their top issue, only 13% of individuals aged 55 and older expressed the same sentiment. This disparity aligns with similar trends in other affluent nations like Australia, Canada, and Ireland, which are grappling with a housing affordability crisis.
Vigers described the ongoing crisis as “a literally concrete example of young people being locked out of economic progress.” Alarmingly, even individuals from wealthier countries do not necessarily feel safer from economic turmoil; for instance, 57% of Irish adults cited economic issues as their primary concern, placing them on par with citizens from countries like Nigeria and Zambia in terms of economic anxiety.
In contrast, older Americans demonstrate a greater concern for politics and governance. Among Americans aged 35 and older, 40% listed politics and government as the foremost problem facing the country, while only 20% of younger Americans agreed. Gallup's long-standing tracking of national priorities indicates that the significance of politics has grown since 2000, particularly in response to major political events, climbing to levels reminiscent of the Watergate scandal.
The interrelation between trust in institutions and perceptions of political issues further complicates the landscape. There is a notable divide between individuals who trust various institutions, such as the national government and judicial system, and those who are skeptical. A striking 41% of those lacking trust identified politics as the top issue, compared to only 21% of those who expressed confidence in these institutions.
Nyhan emphasized the dangers of low trust in democracies, indicating that maintaining a stable society and the rule of law is extremely challenging without social trust. High polarization intensifies the difficulty of accepting electoral outcomes and the transition of power between parties.
The Gallup World Poll included participants aged 15 and older in 107 countries, with a margin of error ranging from plus or minus 2.4 to 4.7 percentage points.
