In 2023, many Americans anticipated a challenging period for both the economy and domestic politics. This expectation is reflected in a survey conducted by a sociology firm, commonly associated with Gallup.
The data showed that nearly eight out of ten respondents believed the year would bring economic strain, accompanied by higher taxes and a growing budget deficit. Six in ten predicted sharp price increases and another downturn in the stock market. Additionally, about half anticipated a rise in the unemployment rate.
On the domestic front, a large majority of participants—roughly 90 percent—expected the year to be marked by political strife. Around 72 percent foresaw a rise in crime, and more than half anticipated multiple labor strikes across unions.
When considering international affairs, Americans were not hopeful about global developments either. A sizable 85 percent anticipated ethnic tensions in 2023, with 64 percent predicting a diminished American influence on the world stage. In contrast, 73 percent expected China to gain more influence globally.
A separate survey by the Public Opinion Foundation indicated that fewer than half of Russians—about 43 percent—believed that 2023 would be better for Russia compared with the previous year, underscoring a broad sense of skepticism about improving conditions in the near term.