Survey of Americans and Economists on the Economy
The Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University Survey Project
October 1996
The Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University Survey Project is a three-way partnership and an experiment in combining survey research and reporting to better inform the public. The
Post, Kaiser, and Harvard jointly design and analyze surveys examining public knowledge, perceptions, and misperceptions on major issues. The
Post then reports the results as well as the facts to dispel myths and correct misperceptions. We hope this project contributes to a better understanding of public knowledge on major issues facing the country, and to more effective efforts by the media to educate, inform, and engage citizens in national debates.
The first report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation,
The Four Americas: Government and Social Policy Through the Eye's of America's Multi-racial and Multi-ethnic Society, expands on coverage in
The Washington Post of the first survey focusing on the perspectives of different racial and ethnic groups with regard to social policy and the role of government in America. The findings show the different perceptions that America's racial and ethnic groups have of the social and economic standing of the other groups. It also shows how white American's misperceptions about the social and economic realities facing African Americans relate directly to their views and opinions on public policies and aid to minorities. Copies of this report are available through the Kaiser Family Foundation publications request line at 1-800-656-4KFF.
The second survey, released by
The Washington Post on Sunday, January 28, 1996 examines public understanding, perceptions and attitudes about the role of government. It sheds light on why Americans are so distrustful and cynical about the federal government and its abilities to act effectively. To receive a copy of the national topline data and articles, call the Kaiser Family Foundation's publication request line and ask for #1110.
This third survey, released by
The Washington Post on Sunday, October 13th, examines public understanding, assessments and attitudes about the economy and economic policy. In conjunction with the survey of Americans, a companion survey of 250 economists was also completed. The companion survey shows the differences in perceptions and attitudes of economists from the general public. This report is of the actual questions and national topline data from both the general public survey and the survey of the economists. Additional copies of the national topline data and reprints are also available through the request line (#1199).
The Kaiser Family Foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, is a non-profit, independent national health care philanthropy and is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries. The Foundation's work is focused on four main areas: health policy, reproductive health, HIV policy and health and development in South Africa.
The Washington Post/Harvard University/Kaiser Foundation Economy Poll Results
1. When you think about America's economy today, do you think it is...
| | Growing
rapidly | Growing
slowly | Stagnating | In a recession | In a depression | No
opinion |
| General Public | 18 | 42 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Economists | 12 | 80 | 2 | * | 0 | 6 |
2. I would like to read you a list of economic problems. Which two of these problems do you think are the most important economic issues facing the country today?
| | Inflation | Unemployment | Interest rates | Budget deficit | Taxes |
| General Public | 13 | 31 | 8 | 38 | 36 |
| Economists | 1 | 9 | 2 | 38 | 20 |
| | Foreign competition | Slow productivity | Rich & poor gap | None
(vol.) | No
opinion |
| General Public | 18 | 9 | 40 | * | 1 |
| Economists | 3 | 58 | 62 | 1 | * |
3. Compared to five years ago is (read item) higher or lower now, or is it about the same? (General Public)
| Higher | Lower | About the same | No
opinion |
| a. The unemployment rate | 33 | 37 | 28 | 2 |
| b. The inflation rate | 46 | 16 | 34 | 3 |
4. Just your best guess: What percentage of all Americans are unemployed but looking for work? (General Public)
| Percent | | | |
| 0-.9 | 1 | | |
| 1-1.9 | 1 | | |
| 2-2.9 | 2 | | |
| 3-3.9 | 2 | | |
| 4-4.9 | 3 | | |
| 5-5.9 | 11 | | |
| 6-6.9 | 6 | | |
| 7-7.9 | 5 | | |
| 8-8.9 | 4 | | |
| 9-9.9 | 1 | | |
| 10-10.9 | 8 | | |
| 11-19 | 10 | | |
| 20-29 | 13 | Mean | 20.6 |
| 30-39 | 10 | | |
| 40-49 | 6 | Correct answer | 11% |
| 50+ | 11 | | |
| No opinion | 6 | | |
5. Again, just your best guess: What is the current annual rate of inflation? (General Public)
| Percent | | | |
| 0-.9 | 2 | | |
| 1-1.9 | 3 | | |
| 2-2.9 | 8 | | |
| 3-3.9 | 12 | | |
| 4-4.9 | 8 | | |
| 5-5.9 | 8 | | |
| 6-6.9 | 3 | | |
| 7-7.9 | 2 | | |
| 8-8.9 | 2 | | |
| 9-9.9 | 1 | | |
| 10-10.9 | 7 | | |
| 11-19 | 6 | | |
| 20-29 | 4 | Mean | 13.5 |
| 30-39 | 3 | | |
| 40-49 | 3 | Correct answer | 15% |
| 50+ | 6 | | |
| No opinion | 24 | | |
6. And what percentage of profit do you think major American corporations make? (General Public)
| Percent | | | |
| 0-10 | 12 | | |
| 11-20 | 13 | | |
| 21-30 | 11 | | |
| 31-40 | 9 | | |
| 41-50 | 13 | | |
| 51-60 | 6 | | |
| 61-70 | 4 | Mean | 46.7 |
| 71-80 | 9 | | |
| 81-90 | 3 | Correct answer | 3% |
| 91+ | 8 | | |
| No opinion | 12 | | |
