In December 2024, 11 percent of survey respondents said that the most important problem facing the United States was the high cost of living and inflation. Another 20percent said that the government and poor leadership was the most serious concern for the nation.

In this 2018 survey, eight percent of respondents stated they think the biggest problem for the United States today is Donald Trump. In fact, most of the important problems mentioned are somehow related to the current POTUS – the most mentioned one being immigration and racism.

A country divided

Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, political camps in the United States are deeply divided and global politics is in turmoil; Trump’s job approval ratings are notoriously low, and in fact, they are lower than Reagan’s or Nixon’s averages ever were. Trump’s leadership is controversial at best and his executive orders often cause protests, especially among Democrats and liberals – like the travel ban for Muslims.

On the other side

One of Trump’s main campaign promises was a wall on the border with Mexico in order to keep potential illegal immigrants out and enhance security for American citizens. When he did not get the majority for this plan, he declared a national emergency to force the budget to be allocated, even though the majority of Americans did not support this idea, and it is unclear if the situation at the Mexican border actually warrants it. In fact, the total number of unauthorized immigrants has decreased over the last few years and today, many Americans believe that their country benefits from immigrants and their work .

Inflation was the most worrying topic worldwide as of May 2025, with ********* of the respondents choosing that option. Crime and violence, as well as poverty and social inequality, followed behind. Moreover, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the war in Gaza, *** percent of the respondents were worried about military conflict between nations. Only *** percent were worried about the COVID-19 pandemic, which dominated the world after its outbreak in 2020. Global inflation and rising prices Inflation rates have spiked substantially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From 2020 to 2021, the worldwide inflation rate increased from 3.5 percent to 4.7 percent, and from 2021 to 2022, the rate increased sharply from 4.7 percent to 8.7 percent. While rates are predicted to fall come 2025, many are continuing to struggle with price increases on basic necessities. Poverty and global development Poverty and social inequality were the third most worrying issues to respondents. While poverty and inequality are still prominent, global poverty rates have been on a steady decline over the years. In 1994, 64 percent of people in low-income countries and around one percent of people in high-income countries lived on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars per day. By 2018, this had fallen to almost 44 percent of people in low-income countries and 0.6 percent in high-income countries. Moreover, fewer people globally are dying of preventable diseases, and people are living longer lives. Despite these aspects, issues such as wealth inequality have global prominence.

United States New Security Issues: US Corporations data was reported at 132.525 USD bn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 132.763 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations data is updated monthly, averaging 138.365 USD bn from Feb 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 184 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 328.777 USD bn in Mar 2007 and a record low of 42.698 USD bn in Aug 2008. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z030: New Security Issues: Corporations.

This study is part of a quadrennial series designed to investigate the opinions and attitudes of the general public on matters related to foreign policy, and to define the parameters of public opinion within which decision-makers must operate. This public opinion study of the United States focused on respondents' opinions of the United States' leadership role in the world and the challenges the country faces domestically and internationally. The survey covered the following international topics: relations with other countries, role in foreign affairs, possible threats to vital interests in the next ten years, foreign policy goals, benefits or drawbacks of globalization, situations that might justify the use of United States troops in other parts of the world, the number and location of United States military bases overseas, respondent feelings toward people of other countries, opinions on the influence of other countries in the world and how much influence those countries should have, whether there should be a global regulating body to prevent economic instability, international trade, United States participation in potential treaties, the United States' role in the United Nations and NATO, respondent opinions on international institutions and regulating bodies such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization, whether the United States will continue to be the world's leading power in the next 50 years, democracy in the Middle East and South Korea, the role of the United Nations Security Council, which side the United States should take in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, what measures should be taken to deal with Iran's nuclear program, the military effort in Afghanistan, opinions on efforts to combat terrorism and the use of torture to extract information from prisoners, whether the respondent favors or opposes the government selling military equipment to other nations and using nuclear weapons in various circumstances, the economic development of China, and the conflict between North and South Korea. Domestic issues included economic prospects for American children when they become adults, funding for government programs, the fairness of the current distribution of income in the United States, the role of government, whether the government can be trusted to do what is right, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, United States' dependence on foreign energy sources, drilling for oil and natural gas off the coast of the United States, and relations with Mexico including such issues as the ongoing drug war, as well as immigration and immigration reform. Demographic and other background information included age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, left-right political self-placement, political affiliation, employment status, highest level of education, and religious preference. Also included are household size and composition, whether the respondent is head of household, household income, housing type, ownership status of living quarters, household Internet access, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) status, and region and state of residence.

United States SBOI: sa: Most Pressing Problem: A Year Ago: Others data was reported at 5.000 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.000 % for Feb 2025. United States SBOI: sa: Most Pressing Problem: A Year Ago: Others data is updated monthly, averaging 7.000 % from Jan 2014 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 131 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.000 % in May 2023 and a record low of 3.000 % in Jul 2024. United States SBOI: sa: Most Pressing Problem: A Year Ago: Others data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Federation of Independent Business. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S042: NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

A survey conducted in February 2025 found that the most important issue for ** percent of Americans was inflation and prices. A further ** percent of respondents were most concerned about jobs and the economy.

According to the data from 2025, some 16 percent of respondents said that rising health care costs were the most important health issue facing the United States. Cancer ranked second on the list with 15 percent. Issues with healthcare costsCurrently, the most urgent problem facing American healthcare is the high costs of care. The high expense of healthcare may deter people from getting the appropriate treatment when they need medical care or cause them to completely forego preventative care visits. Many Americans reported that they may skip prescription doses or refrain from taking medication as prescribed due to financial concerns. Such health-related behavior can result in major health problems, which may raise the long-term cost of care. Inflation, medical debt, and unforeseen medical expenses have all added to the burden that health costs are placing on household income. Gun violence issueThe gun violence epidemic has plagued the United States over the past few years, yet very little has been done to address the issue. In recent years, gun violence has become the leading cause of death among American children and teens. Even though more than half of Americans are in favor of tougher gun control regulations, there is little political will to strongly reform the current gun law. Gun violence has a deep traumatic impact on survivors and society, it is developing into a major public health crisis in the United States.

Explore simulated US public opinion on immigration, revealing deep political divides, dissatisfaction with policy, and surprising areas of common ground on reform.

United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Sold in US data was reported at 126.327 USD bn in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 130.798 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Sold in US data is updated monthly, averaging 119.231 USD bn from Feb 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 184 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 273.357 USD bn in Mar 2007 and a record low of 20.331 USD bn in Sep 2008. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Sold in US data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z030: New Security Issues: Corporations.

This study is part of a quadrennial series designed to investigate the opinions and attitudes of both the general public and a select group of opinion leaders (or elites) on matters relating to foreign policy, and to define the parameters of public opinion within which decision-makers must operate. Both general public and elite respondents were queried regarding the biggest problems facing the United States, the spending levels for various federal government programs, the role of Congress in determining foreign policy, the impact of foreign policy on issues like prices and unemployment, and the Clinton Administration's handling of various problems such as the overall foreign policy, the overall trade policy, immigration, and the relations with Latin America, Japan, Russia, Cuba, Vietnam, and the Middle East. Questions were also asked about the government's reactions to the ongoing situations in Bosnia, North Korea, Haiti, Cuba, Rwanda, and the Middle East, the importance of various countries to America's vital interests, and possible adversaries or threats to the United States in the near future. Issues like the presence of NATO troops in Western Europe, the military role of Japan and Germany, the economic unification of Western Europe, the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the illegal drugs problem were also explored. In addition, the elites were asked several questions about their political party affiliation and the strength of that affiliation. Demographic data such as religious preference, marital status, employment status, household composition, education, age, Hispanic origin, race, sex, and income were only collected for the general population sample.

This data collection is the 1990 version of a quadrennial study designed to investigate the opinions and attitudes of the general public and of a select group of opinion leaders (or elites) on matters relating to foreign policy. The primary objectives of this study were to define the parameters of public opinion within which decision makers must operate and to compare the attitudes of the general public with those of opinion leaders. For the purposes of this study, "opinion leaders" are defined as those who are in positions of leadership in government, academia, business and labor, the media, religious institutions, special interest groups, and private foreign policy organizations. Both general public and elite respondents were questioned regarding the biggest problems/foreign policy problems facing the United States today, spending levels for various federal government programs, the role of Congress in determining foreign policy, the impact of foreign policy on things such as prices and unemployment, economic aid to other nations, military aid/selling military equipment to other nations, the role of the United States in world affairs, the Bush administration's handling of various problems, government reactions to situations in Kuwait, Panama, and China, the importance of various countries to America's vital interests, possible threats/adversaries to the United States in coming years, and the use of United States military troops in other parts of the world. Other topics covered include the relative importance of several foreign policy goals, United States relations with the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Vietnam, NATO and keeping troops in western Europe, the military role of Japan and Germany, the economic unification of western Europe, the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, policy options to reduce dependence on foreign oil, the illegal drug problem, free trade, and the respondent's political party affiliation and the strength of that affiliation. In addition, general populace respondents were asked to indicate their level of political activity, how closely they followed news about several current issues and events, and to rate various foreign countries and American and foreign leaders on a feeling thermometer scale. Demographic characteristics such as religious preference, marital status, employment status, household composition, education, age, Hispanic origin, race, sex, and income also were gathered for these respondents.

United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Stocks data was reported at 12.197 USD bn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.681 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Stocks data is updated monthly, averaging 11.863 USD bn from Feb 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 184 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67.729 USD bn in May 2009 and a record low of 1.302 USD bn in Dec 2008. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Stocks data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z030: New Security Issues: Corporations.

United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 5 Years data was reported at 1.597 USD bn in 30 Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 664.000 USD mn for 23 Apr 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 5 Years data is updated weekly, averaging -363.000 USD mn from Apr 2013 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 631 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.870 USD bn in 30 Apr 2014 and a record low of -5.577 USD bn in 25 Dec 2024. United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 5 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Z044: Primary Dealer Statistics: Specific Issues.

United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Deliver: 5 Years data was reported at 306.000 USD mn in 30 Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 395.000 USD mn for 23 Apr 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Deliver: 5 Years data is updated weekly, averaging 209.000 USD mn from Apr 2013 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 625 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.497 USD bn in 22 Nov 2017 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 29 Jun 2016. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Deliver: 5 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Z044: Primary Dealer Statistics: Specific Issues.

United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 10 Years data was reported at -185.000 USD mn in 30 Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of -1.501 USD bn for 23 Apr 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 10 Years data is updated weekly, averaging -307.000 USD mn from Apr 2013 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 631 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.175 USD bn in 07 Dec 2022 and a record low of -3.848 USD bn in 12 Jun 2019. United States PDS: Specific Issues: TIPS: Net Settled Position: 10 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Z044: Primary Dealer Statistics: Specific Issues.

United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 2 Years data was reported at 212.000 USD mn in 30 Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 112.000 USD mn for 23 Apr 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 2 Years data is updated weekly, averaging 127.000 USD mn from Apr 2013 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 544 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.516 USD bn in 28 Sep 2022 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in 01 Jan 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 2 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Z044: Primary Dealer Statistics: Specific Issues.

United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 10 Years data was reported at 522.000 USD mn in 30 Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 369.000 USD mn for 23 Apr 2025. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 10 Years data is updated weekly, averaging 388.000 USD mn from Apr 2013 (Median) to 30 Apr 2025, with 631 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59.378 USD bn in 09 Mar 2016 and a record low of 7.000 USD mn in 30 Dec 2015. United States PDS: Specific Issues: Coupons: Fails To Receive: 10 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Z044: Primary Dealer Statistics: Specific Issues.

Graph and download economic data for Government-Sponsored Enterprises; Securitized GSE Issues; Liability, Level (BOGZ1FL403161795Q) from Q4 1945 to Q1 2025 about GSE, securitized, issues, liabilities, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for New Corporate Securities Issued, Debt, All Industries for United States (Q10119USQ144NNBR) from Q1 1948 to Q1 1964 about issues, debt, securities, corporate, new, industry, and USA.