How views of the problems facing the nation have shifted over time
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
Inflation
The role of money in politics
The affordability
of health care
The ability of Dems/Reps
to work together
The federal budget deficit
Drug addiction
Gun violence
Violent crime
Climate change
International terrorism
Illegal immigration
Domestic terrorism
Unemployment
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
How views of the problems facing the nation have shifted over time
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
| Date | Issue | Total | Rep/Lean Rep | Dem/Lean Dem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-26 | The affordability of healthcare | 73% | 60% | 85% |
| 2025-02-01 | The affordability of healthcare | 67% | 61% | 73% |
| 2024-05-19 | The affordability of healthcare | 57% | 48% | 65% |
| 2023-06-11 | The affordability of healthcare | 64% | 54% | 73% |
| 2022-05-01 | The affordability of healthcare | 55% | 42% | 65% |
| 2021-04-11 | The affordability of healthcare | 56% | 40% | 69% |
| 2020-06-22 | The affordability of healthcare | 57% | 39% | 72% |
| 2019-09-15 | The affordability of healthcare | 66% | 51% | 77% |
| 2019-03-04 | The affordability of healthcare | 67% | 56% | 74% |
| 2018-10-07 | The affordability of healthcare | 70% | 58% | 79% |
| 2026-04-26 | The federal budget deficit | 64% | 62% | 66% |
| 2025-11-01 | The federal budget deficit | 56% | 59% | 52% |
| 2025-02-01 | The federal budget deficit | 57% | 66% | 47% |
| 2024-05-19 | The federal budget deficit | 53% | 71% | 35% |
| 2023-06-11 | The federal budget deficit | 56% | 72% | 39% |
| 2022-05-01 | The federal budget deficit | 51% | 69% | 35% |
| 2021-07-18 | The federal budget deficit | 50% | 70% | 34% |
| 2021-04-11 | The federal budget deficit | 49% | 71% | 31% |
| 2020-06-22 | The federal budget deficit | 47% | 49% | 45% |
| 2019-09-15 | The federal budget deficit | 53% | 54% | 52% |
| 2018-10-07 | The federal budget deficit | 55% | 56% | 53% |
| 2026-04-01 | Inflation | 66% | 55% | 74% |
| 2025-02-01 | Inflation | 63% | 73% | 53% |
| 2024-05-01 | Inflation | 62% | 80% | 46% |
| 2023-06-01 | Inflation | 65% | 77% | 52% |
| 2022-05-01 | Inflation | 70% | 84% | 57% |
| 2026-04-26 | Unemployment | 36% | 25% | 45% |
| 2025-02-01 | Unemployment | 25% | 21% | 27% |
| 2024-05-19 | Unemployment | 25% | 27% | 22% |
| 2023-06-11 | Unemployment | 24% | 23% | 23% |
| 2022-05-01 | Unemployment | 23% | 22% | 21% |
| 2021-04-11 | Unemployment | 41% | 36% | 45% |
| 2020-06-22 | Unemployment | 50% | 36% | 61% |
| 2026-04-26 | The ability of Dems/Reps to work together | 64% | 60% | 69% |
| 2025-02-01 | The ability of Dems/Reps to work together | 56% | 48% | 64% |
| 2024-05-19 | The ability of Dems/Reps to work together | 60% | 57% | 63% |
| 2023-06-11 | The ability of Dems/Reps to work together | 62% | 63% | 62% |
| 2018-12-10 | The ability of Dems/Reps to work together | 62% | 65% | 62% |
| 2026-04-26 | Role of money in politics | 74% | 70% | 79% |
| 2025-02-01 | Role of money in politics | 72% | 66% | 78% |
| 2026-04-26 | Drug addiction | 55% | 62% | 48% |
| 2025-02-01 | Drug addiction | 51% | 54% | 46% |
| 2024-05-19 | Drug addiction | 55% | 60% | 50% |
| 2023-06-11 | Drug addiction | 61% | 64% | 56% |
| 2019-09-15 | Drug addiction | 64% | 68% | 61% |
| 2019-03-04 | Drug addiction | 70% | 71% | 68% |
| 2018-10-07 | Drug addiction | 68% | 68% | 66% |
| 2016-11-08 | Drug addiction | 56% | 58% | 55% |
| 2026-04-26 | Illegal immigration | 38% | 60% | 17% |
| 2025-11-01 | Illegal immigration | 36% | 60% | 14% |
| 2025-02-01 | Illegal immigration | 48% | 73% | 23% |
| 2024-05-19 | Illegal immigration | 51% | 78% | 27% |
| 2023-06-11 | Illegal immigration | 47% | 70% | 25% |
| 2022-05-01 | Illegal immigration | 38% | 65% | 19% |
| 2021-07-18 | Illegal immigration | 43% | 66% | 23% |
| 2021-04-11 | Illegal immigration | 48% | 72% | 29% |
| 2020-06-22 | Illegal immigration | 28% | 43% | 15% |
| 2019-09-15 | Illegal immigration | 43% | 67% | 23% |
| 2019-03-04 | Illegal immigration | 38% | 65% | 18% |
| 2018-10-07 | Illegal immigration | 42% | 67% | 23% |
| 2016-11-08 | Illegal immigration | 44% | 67% | 25% |
| 2026-04-26 | Gun violence | 49% | 27% | 68% |
| 2025-11-01 | Gun violence | 50% | 30% | 68% |
| 2025-02-01 | Gun violence | 48% | 26% | 69% |
| 2024-05-19 | Gun violence | 49% | 27% | 68% |
| 2023-06-11 | Gun violence | 60% | 38% | 81% |
| 2022-05-01 | Gun violence | 51% | 27% | 70% |
| 2021-04-11 | Gun violence | 48% | 18% | 73% |
| 2018-10-07 | Gun violence | 53% | 29% | 72% |
| 2016-11-08 | Gun violence | 48% | 29% | 64% |
| 2026-04-26 | Violent crime | 47% | 55% | 38% |
| 2025-11-01 | Violent crime | 44% | 50% | 36% |
| 2025-02-01 | Violent crime | 47% | 55% | 37% |
| 2024-05-19 | Violent crime | 48% | 56% | 39% |
| 2023-06-11 | Violent crime | 59% | 64% | 52% |
| 2022-05-01 | Violent crime | 54% | 60% | 47% |
| 2021-07-18 | Violent crime | 61% | 67% | 55% |
| 2021-04-11 | Violent crime | 48% | 52% | 44% |
| 2020-06-22 | Violent crime | 41% | 44% | 37% |
| 2019-03-04 | Violent crime | 49% | 50% | 47% |
| 2018-10-07 | Violent crime | 52% | 51% | 49% |
| 2026-04-26 | Climate change | 39% | 14% | 63% |
| 2025-11-01 | Climate change | 36% | 11% | 59% |
| 2025-02-01 | Climate change | 41% | 13% | 67% |
| 2024-05-19 | Climate change | 36% | 12% | 58% |
| 2023-06-11 | Climate change | 39% | 14% | 64% |
| 2022-05-01 | Climate change | 42% | 16% | 63% |
| 2021-07-18 | Climate change | 47% | 19% | 71% |
| 2021-04-11 | Climate change | 40% | 14% | 61% |
| 2020-06-22 | Climate change | 40% | 13% | 62% |
| 2019-09-15 | Climate change | 48% | 17% | 73% |
| 2019-03-04 | Climate change | 46% | 16% | 69% |
| 2018-10-07 | Climate change | 43% | 19% | 62% |
| 2016-11-08 | Climate change | 40% | 17% | 61% |
| 2026-04-26 | International terrorism | 38% | 46% | 29% |
| 2025-02-01 | International terrorism | 36% | 41% | 29% |
| 2024-05-19 | International terrorism | 31% | 41% | 22% |
| 2023-06-11 | International terrorism | 30% | 36% | 23% |
| 2021-04-11 | International terrorism | 26% | 28% | 24% |
| 2026-04-26 | Domestic terrorism | 36% | 39% | 33% |
| 2025-02-01 | Domestic terrorism | 34% | 32% | 36% |
| 2024-05-19 | Domestic terrorism | 29% | 30% | 27% |
| 2023-06-11 | Domestic terrorism | 34% | 25% | 41% |
| 2021-04-11 | Domestic terrorism | 35% | 27% | 44% |
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Money in politics, health care affordability rank as top national problems
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Money in politics, health care affordability rank as top national problems
% who say ___ is a very big problem for the country today
| Percent | |
|---|---|
| The role of money in politics | 74% |
| The affordability of health care | 73% |
| Inflation | 66% |
| The ability of Dems/Reps to work together in Washington | 64% |
| The federal budget deficit | 64% |
| Drug addiction | 55% |
| Gun violence | 49% |
| Violent crime | 47% |
| Climate change | 39% |
| International terrorism | 38% |
| Illegal immigration | 38% |
| Domestic terrorism | 36% |
| Unemployment | 36% |
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 20-26, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Facts Only
A Pew Research Center survey was conducted April 20-26, 2026, among U.S. adults.
74% of respondents said the role of money in politics is a "very big problem" for the country.
73% cited the affordability of healthcare as a very big problem.
66% identified inflation as a very big problem.
64% said the ability of Democrats and Republicans to work together is a very big problem.
64% cited the federal budget deficit as a very big problem.
55% identified drug addiction as a very big problem.
49% cited gun violence as a very big problem.
47% identified violent crime as a very big problem.
39% cited climate change as a very big problem.
38% identified international terrorism and illegal immigration as very big problems.
36% cited domestic terrorism and unemployment as very big problems.
The survey includes data from multiple years, showing trends in public opinion on these issues.
Partisan differences are evident, with Republicans and Democrats often diverging on the severity of specific problems.
Executive Summary
A Pew Research Center survey conducted April 20-26, 2026, reveals shifting public perceptions of major national problems in the U.S. The top concerns identified were the role of money in politics (74%) and the affordability of healthcare (73%), followed by inflation (66%), political polarization (64%), and the federal budget deficit (64%). The data shows partisan divides on several issues: Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to view healthcare affordability, gun violence, and climate change as major problems, while Republicans express greater concern about illegal immigration, violent crime, and the federal deficit. Over time, some issues like drug addiction and unemployment have seen fluctuating levels of concern, while others, such as political polarization, have remained consistently high. The survey highlights persistent ideological gaps in how Americans prioritize national challenges, with certain issues like inflation and the budget deficit showing more bipartisan agreement than others.
The findings suggest that economic pressures (healthcare costs, inflation) and systemic concerns (money in politics, political dysfunction) dominate public anxiety, though the intensity of these concerns varies by political affiliation. Historical trends indicate that perceptions of issues like unemployment and terrorism shift with real-world events, while others, such as healthcare affordability, remain enduring concerns. The data underscores how partisan identity shapes problem prioritization, with Republicans and Democrats often ranking the same issues differently.
Full Take
The Pew survey reveals a nation deeply divided not just on solutions but on the very definition of what constitutes a crisis. The top-ranked issues—money in politics and healthcare affordability—reflect systemic distrust in institutions and economic anxiety, themes that transcend partisan lines but are interpreted through ideological lenses. The stark partisan splits on issues like gun violence (68% of Democrats vs. 27% of Republicans) and climate change (63% vs. 14%) suggest that these concerns have become tribal markers rather than shared societal challenges. Meanwhile, the relative bipartisan agreement on inflation and the budget deficit hints at a rare common ground, though even here, the intensity of concern varies by party.
What’s striking is the stability of certain divides despite shifting circumstances. For example, illegal immigration has consistently been a top concern for Republicans (60-78% in recent years) but remains a low priority for Democrats (14-29%). Similarly, climate change has maintained a 50+ percentage-point gap between the parties for over a decade. This raises questions about whether these issues are being evaluated on their merits or as proxies for broader cultural conflicts. The survey also highlights how quickly public perception can shift—unemployment, for instance, dropped from 50% concern in 2020 to 36% in 2026, likely reflecting economic recovery, while drug addiction saw a decline from 70% in 2019 to 55% in 2026, possibly due to changing media attention or policy responses.
The most concerning pattern is the weaponization of problem perception itself. When issues like gun violence or climate change become almost exclusively associated with one party, it undermines the possibility of collective action. The data suggests that Americans are not just disagreeing on policies but on the very reality of threats—a phenomenon that erodes democratic resilience. One must ask: If partisans cannot even agree on what problems exist, how can they collaborate on solutions? And what does it mean for a democracy when the act of prioritizing an issue becomes a partisan litmus test?
Patterns detected: ARC-0024 Ambiguity (in framing of "very big problem" without objective metrics), ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey (partisan shifts in issue prioritization based on political convenience).