According to a recent poll, economic confidence has taken a hit, reaching its lowest point in President Trump’s second term. The Gallup Economic Confidence Index, which gauges Americans’ perceptions of the current economy and their expectations for the future, slid to negative 33 in December.

This December figure represents a 3-point drop from November’s negative 30, which itself was a decrease from negative 23 in October. Earlier this year, in August and September, the index held steady at negative 20.

The current economic confidence level is the lowest since July 2024, when it was at negative 35. When President Trump assumed office in January, the index was at negative 19, and it has largely fluctuated in the negative teens throughout his second term.

Earlier this year, the index fell to negative 20 in March and dipped further to negative 22 in April, before improving in May and reaching a peak of negative 14 in June. The index has a potential range from negative 100 to positive 100.

The recent decline in confidence coincides with an increase in the number of respondents who rate the current economic conditions as “poor,” rising to 47 percent in December from 40 percent in November. Additionally, 31 percent of those surveyed believe conditions are “only fair,” while 21 percent consider them “excellent” or “good,” according to the poll results.

More than two-thirds, 68 percent, say economic conditions are getting worse, and 29 percent say they’re getting better. Those numbers reflect increasing pessimistic in the American public, after 58 percent said in May that the economy was worsening while 37 percent thought it was improving, according to the pollster.

The survey comes as both parties renew their focus on affordability concerns following the 2025 elections and a record-long government shutdown. The president has taken steps to address rising prices, including rolling back some of his tariffs, while still at times dismissing “affordability” as a hoax pushed by Democrats.

Trump has struggled with falling approval ratings on his handling of the economy, even as his overall job performance numbers have seen a slight bump after falling to second-term lows in November.

The Gallup survey was conducted on Dec. 1-15 and included 1,016 adults. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.