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 .

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.

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 statistic shows the results of a 2012 survey in the United States regarding the most important problems in the current U.S. economy. The respondents were sorted by political party. In 2012, 27 percent of democrats, 38 percent of republicans and 30 percent of independent voters stated that the economy in general was the most crucial problem for the United States.

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]

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.

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.

United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data was reported at 368.107 USD bn in 15 May 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 339.233 USD bn for 14 May 2025. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data is updated daily, averaging 369.667 USD bn from Oct 2005 (Median) to 15 May 2025, with 4916 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,149.148 USD bn in 30 Jun 2022 and a record low of 67.307 USD bn in 02 Oct 2013. United States Public Debt Transactions: Issues: Nonmarketable: Government Account data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of the Fiscal Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.F: Public Debt Transactions.

United States New Security Issues: State & Local Government (SL) data was reported at 35.106 USD bn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.607 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: State & Local Government (SL) data is updated monthly, averaging 31.320 USD bn from Mar 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 390.436 USD bn in Oct 2014 and a record low of 12.846 USD bn in Jan 2011. United States New Security Issues: State & Local Government (SL) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z031: New Security Issues: State and Local Governments.

Graph and download economic data for Foreign Bond Issues, Government and Government Guaranteed or Controlled for the United States (Q10067USQ144NNBR) from Q1 1920 to Q4 1930 about issues, foreign, bonds, government, and USA.

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. In this poll, respondents were asked about President Ronald Reagan's performance in office and the government's handling of the economy, with a special focus on United States involvement in Latin America. Demographic information on respondents includes age, sex, race, educational level, employment status, political party affiliation, voting history, and marital status.

This catalog record includes detailed variable-level descriptions, enabling data discovery and comparison. The data are not archived at ICPSR. Users should consult the data owners (via the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research) directly for details on obtaining the data. This collection includes variable-level metadata of Health Issues Survey, a survey by Harvard School of Public Health/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation conducted by ICR Survey Research Group. Topics covered in this survey include: Important health issues The data and documentation files for this survey are available through the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research [Roper #31092265]. Frequencies and summary statistics for the 93 variables from this survey are available through the ICPSR social science variable database and can be accessed from the Variables tab.

A 2024 survey found that over half of U.S. individuals indicated the cost of accessing treatment was the biggest problem facing the national healthcare system. This is much higher than the global average of 32 percent and is in line with the high cost of health care in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries. Bureaucracy along with a lack of staff were also considered to be pressing issues. This statistic reveals the share of individuals who said select problems were the biggest facing the health care system in the United States in 2024.

United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Nonfinancial data was reported at 60.218 USD bn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 44.177 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Nonfinancial data is updated monthly, averaging 37.187 USD bn from Feb 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 184 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 140.361 USD bn in May 2017 and a record low of 8.529 USD bn in Oct 2005. United States New Security Issues: US Corporations: Bonds: Nonfinancial 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.

Graph and download economic data for Yields on United States Government Securities, Three to Five Year Issues for United States (M13057USM193NNBR) from Jan 1945 to Dec 1965 about issues, securities, yield, 5-year, government, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Education data was reported at 5.836 USD bn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.349 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Education data is updated monthly, averaging 4.632 USD bn from Mar 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.086 USD bn in Nov 2014 and a record low of 1.566 USD bn in Jan 2013. United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Education data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z031: New Security Issues: State and Local Governments.

This data package includes the underlying data files to replicate the data, tables, and charts presented in How the United States solved South Korea’s problems with electric vehicle subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act, PIIE Working Paper 23-6.

If you use the data, please cite as: Bown, Chad P. 2023. How the United States solved South Korea’s problems with electric vehicle subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act. PIIE Working Paper 23-6. Washington, DC: Peterson Institute for International Economics.

United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Other data was reported at 7.185 USD bn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.861 USD bn for Apr 2018. United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Other data is updated monthly, averaging 5.208 USD bn from Mar 2003 (Median) to May 2018, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.093 USD bn in Nov 2014 and a record low of 1.656 USD bn in Feb 2012. United States New Security Issues: SL: Proceeds: Other data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.Z031: New Security Issues: State and Local Governments.

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.

Data presented here include a shapefile that combines fault data for the United States and Canada (Chorlton, 2007; Reed and others, 2005; Styron and Pagani, 2020) and a shapefile of faults for Australia (Chorlton, 2007; Raymond and others, 2012; Styron and Pagani, 2020). These two shapefiles were used as an evidential layer to evaluate the mineral prospectivity for sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits (Lawley and others, 2022). References Chorlton, L.B., 2007, Generalized geology of the world: Bedrock domains and major faults in GIS format: a small-scale world geology map with an extended geological attribute database: Geological Survey of Canada Open File 5529, https://doi.org/10.4095/223767. Lawley, C.J.M., McCafferty, A.E., Graham, G.E., Huston, D.L., Kelley, K.D., Czarnota, K., Paradis, S., Peter, J.M., Hayward, N., Barlow, M., Emsbo, P., Coyan, J., San Juan, C.A., and Gadd, M.G., 2022, Data-driven prospectivity modelling of sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineral systems and their critical raw materials: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 141, no. 104635, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104635. Raymond, O.L., Liu, S., Gallagher, R., Zhang, W., and Highet, L.M., 2012, Surface Geology of Australia 1:1 million scale dataset 2012 edition: Geoscience Australia, http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/74619. Reed, J.C., Jr., Wheeler, J.O., Tucholke, B.E., Stettner, W.R., and Soller, D.R., 2005, Decade of North American Geology Geologic Map of North America - Perspectives and explanation: Geological Society of America, v. 1, https://doi.org/10.1130/DNAG-CSMS-v1. Styron, R., and Pagani, M., 2020, The GEM global active faults database: Earthquake Spectra, v. 36, p. 160-180, https://doi.org/10.1177/8755293020944182.