Respondent Engagement, Rebrands, And New AI Legislation
September 13, 2024Synthetic Personas and Sample Panels: More Alike Than You Think
October 1, 2024In our latest follow-up survey, we asked respondents how they feel about the current state of the economy compared to six months ago. The results show a mixed outlook—only 18% believe things have improved, while 45% think conditions have stayed the same and 37% feel the economy has worsened. These findings suggest that, for many, economic progress is hard to see, with opinions leaning toward either stagnation or decline.
General
When respondents were asked how they feel about the economy compared to six months ago, only 18% indicated that they believe the economy has improved. A larger portion, 45%, said conditions have remained the same, while 37% feel the economy has worsened. This data highlights a trend toward economic stagnation, with most people seeing little to no improvement, and more leaning toward decline.
Gender
Political affiliation shows stark contrasts in economic outlook. Democrats are the most optimistic, with 30% feeling the economy has improved, compared to just 10% of Republicans and others. On the other hand, 52% of Republicans believe the economy has worsened, while only 22% of Democrats share that view. Independents are more split, with 48% feeling the economy is stable but 39% seeing a downturn.
Political Affiliation
Democrats are the most satisfied, with 29% rating the economy positively, while only 12% of Republicans and Independents feel the same. Republicans show the highest dissatisfaction, with 60% in the Bottom 2, compared to just 20% of Democrats. Independents also lean heavily negative, with 41% expressing deep dissatisfaction.
Age
Age-related data reveals that both the youngest and oldest groups are more optimistic. Among those aged 18-24 and 65+, 23% believe the economy has improved, while only 14% of those aged 45-64 agree. Around 42-46% across all age groups feel the economy has stayed the same, while the 45-64 group is the most pessimistic, with 41% saying the economy has worsened.
Income
Income data shows a clear trend: those earning $100,000 or more are more likely to feel the economy has improved (27%), compared to lower-income individuals, where only 15% agree. Across all income levels, 42-49% feel the economy is stable, while those earning under $60,000 are more likely to say it has worsened (36-41%).
Ethnicity
The ethnicity breakdown shows African-Americans are the most optimistic, with 25% saying the economy has improved, compared to 16% of Caucasians and 15% of Asians. Around 44-49% across all ethnic groups feel the economy has remained stable. Caucasians are the most pessimistic, with 41% saying the economy has worsened, while only 28% of African-Americans share that view.
Panels
Panel H is the most optimistic, with 23% believing the economy has improved, while Panel O shows the highest stability sentiment (53%). Panel T is the most pessimistic, with 42% feeling the economy has worsened, compared to just 30% of respondents in Panel H.
This is an excellent representation of where quality data sampling matters. At EMI, we prioritize strategically blending sample sources to balance demographics as well as behaviors and attitudes to ensure that we provide the most representative and accurate data. Download The Sample Landscape: 2024 Edition to better understand how panels differ from one another and how they impact your data.
