Polls: Americans Remain Worried About Job Loss

(CBS)

According to many economists, the country is officially out of the recession - but that has yet to allay many Americans' anxiety about unemployment.

Unemployment Rate Holds at 9.7%

In a CBS News/New York Times Poll conducted in February, more than half of Americans said they were concerned that someone in their household might lose a job in the next year, including 31 percent who were "very" concerned about this prospect.

The impact of the current economic problems is reflected in the polling data. Since the fall of 2008, the percentage that has been very concerned about a job loss in their household has hovered between about three and four in 10 Americans. Prior to that, it was closer to two in ten. The CBS News Poll has been asking this question since 1996; the highest measure of concern occurred in February and April of 2009, when 44 percent said they were very concerned.

Even when official unemployment figures are comparatively low, as in 2005 and 2006, some Americans remain concerned about a job loss. But in those years the percentage that was "not worried at all" about unemployment was much higher - more than half were not concerned. Now, just four in 10 aren't concerned - and a few months ago that figure was as low as a third.

(CBS)

While anxiety about a job loss affects Americans of all ages, incomes and education levels, some groups have been hit especially hard. Those with lower incomes are most likely to be worried - 43 percent of them are very concerned someone in their household will lose a job.

Younger people - 40 percent of those under age 30 -- have also been more widely affected by job insecurity. Those with less education and residents of the Northeast and the West express relatively higher levels of concern as well.

VERY CONCERNED ABOUT JOB LOSS IN HOUSEHOLD

Men	29%
Women	33%
Age 18-29	40%
30-44	29%
45-64	34%
65+	17%
Less than college grad	33%
College grad or higher	24%
Under $50k income	43%
$50k or more	21%
Northeast	35%
Midwest	28%
South	27%
West	36%

(CBS News/New York Times Poll, February 2010)

Jobs and the economy have been cited as the top problem - by a large margin -- facing the country since January 2008, when it surpassed the war in Iraq. In the most recent CBS News/New York Times Poll, 52 percent of Americans named it as the most important problem. The next highest was health care at only 13 percent.

And only 17 percent of Americans think the country's economy is in good shape now, while 83 percent think it's bad.

More Recent CBS News Polls and Analysis
CBS News Poll Database

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Sarah Dutton is the CBS News director of surveys. Poll Positions is weekly Hotsheet feature on polling trends from the CBS News Survey and Polling Unit. Click here for more posts from the series.

[jjfrost500]

they should have worried about back in 93 when nafta was shoved down our throats

[P0ST1ING_AWAY]

by CBSisCommunist5 March 6, 2010 12:01 AM EST
dont worry...just be happy
Obama has a speech for you and it will solve all of your problems.
If the problems cant be solved-blame the MINORITY republicans
=============================================================
Since the Repugs had a BIG hand in running the economy into the
ground .... blaming them would appear to be QUITE LOGICAL.
I sense you a getting a bit cranky .... spend the money ...
fix that hole in your Sarah Palin Blowup Doll .... and get
back to business ....

[declanjo6]

You can find full medical coverage at the lowest price from http://******/atGzeD

[CBSisCommunist5]

dont worry...just be happy


Obama has a speech for you and it will solve all of your problems.

If the problems cant be solved-blame the MINORITY republicans

[RobAla]

You figure? Duhhh.

[Watt4]

Take note> The post monthly unemployment percentages are accurate numbers as they only apply to those who have worked for an employer and are now filing for unemployment compensation. If you have not held that job long enough, you are denied. If you found a job (company or not) or you ran your benefits out, you are off unemployment comp. You are included in the [+/-] 10% [February] employment report that was reported today. But if numbers are used, make them accurate...or look into why they're not? Contractors, self-employed workers, part time workers, and those like myself...who cannot find work, are NOT included in the 10%. If the truthful percentage was reported, it would approach 15 to 20%. One out of five US workers is unemployed. These bogus numbers are reported to make business and government feel better. Congress is the problem, both parties, both houses. NAFTA was just the tip of the berg, while the bigger submerged part is Wall Street. Like any crime, look at whom benefitted for the act? Who makes and write the laws that allowed our jobs and economy to move to China? Hint: It wasn't any president. This November, during mid-term elections, they'll want your vote. Here's your chance folks! Get rid of career politicians, both sides, both houses...or stop complaining.

[jjfrost500]

they wont be able to keep playing thier hide and seek game for too much longer

[Devils_advocate_from_SJ]

Here's a 'Patriotic Retirement Plan':

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million a piece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

IT'S ALL THAT SIMPLE!! Total cost is about $160 Billion? but who said fixing the economy will be cheap?

[the74blaster]

I would check your math.

40,000,000 X 1,000,000 = 40 Trillion.

[kyleminli]

Farmertommy and his collectivist "Animal Farm."

[stormerF2]

Yes you will have health care,You may not be able to buy food,nor make your car or house payment but by God you will have health care. Now you can come out from under that new bridge you have been living under and get your blood pressure checked for free. Untill you get a job then 54% of your pay will go to taxes,so you can pay for all this free Obamacare everyone else gets on your dime.

[jjfrost500]

i remember back in 93 they labled the anti-nafta group as usimg scare tactics also-wake up the die is cast-our fate is sealed-there is no way out of this ,fasten your seatbelts because its going to be a bumpy ride to the bottom

[farmertommy]

What American's should be worried about is not jobs,

it is the CONservative party, the republi'CON's,

destroying any attempt to make things better in our country

simply because they are fascists, racists, bigots, and LIAR's

[stormerF2]

farmertommy..,your command of the facts are astounding,even if they are all wrong. You really need to do some research of your own and get away from the koolaid bowl,give your brain a rest from the Obama punch.You are killing to many brain cells.