Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Americans Say Economy Not In Recession

November 18, 2004

(CPOD) Nov. 18, 2004 - Many adults in the United States believe their country's finances are improving, according to a poll by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. 51 per cent of respondents think the American economy is not in a recession, a seven per cent increase since April.

In October, the U.S. economy added 337,000 new jobs. The country's unemployment rate is currently at 5.5 per cent, and consumer prices rose by 0.2 per cent. 54 per cent of respondents believe unemployment should be the main concern for the domestic economy, while 29 per cent mention rising prices—a nine per cent increase since April.

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. Earlier this month, Republican incumbent George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states.

Polling Data

Do you think that the U.S. economy is currently in a recession or not?

 

Nov. 2004

Apr. 2004

Recession

42%

53%

No recession

51%

44%

Unsure

7%

3%

What do you consider to be the most important concern for the United States economy?

 

Nov. 2004

Apr. 2004

Unemployment

54%

61%

Rising prices

29%

20%

Interest rates

9%

9%

The stock market

8%

10%

Source: Marist College Institute of Public Opinion
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,028 American adults, conducted on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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