A new CNN poll sum up Americans’ feelings about the economy: They just feel stuck

Key Points:

• A recent CNN poll reveals widespread economic pessimism among Americans, with many feeling stuck due to high prices and the rising cost of living, leading to concerns about merely staying afloat rather than getting ahead financially.
• Nearly 70% of respondents believe a recession is likely within the next year, and a majority report difficulty covering expenses, cutting back on non-essential spending, and lacking the ability to save comfortably.
• Despite overall economic resilience, wage growth for middle- and lower-income Americans has not kept pace with inflation since last year, contributing to financial strain and negative outlooks across income, generational, and partisan groups.
• Three-quarters of Americans feel the economic system favors powerful interests, with many doubting that hard work alone can lead to financial success; about two-thirds say their wages are not keeping up with rising prices regardless of occupation or income level.
• Cost of living concerns, especially related to food and gas prices, dominate Americans' financial worries, with a significant portion unable to afford emergencies or extras like vacations, reflecting a broader sense that economic mobility is harder now than in previous generations.