Fiscal Confidence Index: March 2016 Results

Topline survey results from the Fiscal Confidence Index for March 2016. The FCI value for March is 51.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation commissioned a poll by the Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research to survey public opinion on the national debt. The nationwide poll included 1,003 U.S. registered voters, surveyed by telephone between March 21 and March 24, 2016. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The poll examined voters’ opinions on the national debt, political leadership, and America’s fiscal and economic health.

The Fiscal Confidence Index value is derived from six questions in three categories: Concern, Priority, and Expectations. The March 2016 scores are: Concern (44), Priority (24), Expectations (84). For the complete methodology used to determine the Fiscal Confidence Index value, click here. For full results, including demographic information, download the PDF below:

 

CONCERN (44)

Thinking about our national debt over the last few years, would you say your level of concern has increased or decreased?

  • Is that a lot or just a little?
Increased a lot 45%
Increased a little 20%
Decreased a little 12%
Decreased a lot 6%
(No change) 16%
(Don't Know/Refused) 1%
INCREASED (NET) 65%
DECREASED (NET) 18%

When it comes to addressing our national debt, would you say things in the United States are heading in the right direction or do you think things are off on the wrong track?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Right direction-Strongly 11%
Right direction-Somewhat 17%
Wrong track-Somewhat 16%
Wrong track-Strongly 45%
(Neither/Mixed) 7%
(Don't Know/Refused) 5%
RIGHT DIRECTION (NET) 28%
WRONG TRACK (NET) 61%

 

PRIORITY (24)

Some people say that addressing the national debt should be among the President and Congress' top 3 priorities. Do you agree or disagree?

  • Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
Strongly agree 53%
Somewhat agree 27%
Somewhat disagree 10%
Strongly disagree 7%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
AGREE (NET) 79%
DISAGREE (NET) 17%
   

And when it comes to our national debt, do you think it is an issue that the President and Congress should spend more time addressing or less time addressing?

  • Would you say a lot (more or less) time or just a little?
A lot more time 58%
A little more time 24%
A little less time 6%
A lot less time 3%
(The same amount of time) 4%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
MORE TIME (NET) 82%
LESS TIME (NET) 10%

 

 

EXPECTATIONS (84)

And thinking about our national debt over the next few years, do you expect the problem to get better or worse?

  • Is that much (better or worse) or just somewhat (better or worse)?
Much better 6%
Somewhat better 21%
Somewhat worse 24%
Much worse 26%
(No change) 6%
(Don't know/Refused) 17%
BETTER (NET) 27%
WORSE (NET) 50%

And when it comes to our national debt, are you optimistic or pessimistic that the United States will be able to make progress on our national debt over the next few years?

  • Would you say you are very (optimistic or pessimistic) or just somewhat?
Very optimistic 18%
Somewhat optimistic 32%
Somewhat pessimistic 15%
Very pessimistic 22%
(Neither/Mixed) 6%
(Don't Know/Refused) 5%
OPTIMISTIC (NET) 51%
PESSIMISTIC (NET) 37%

 

Solutions Initiative 2024

Seven think tanks from across the ideological spectrum all agree that we are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and we need to change course.

National Debt Clock

See the latest numbers and learn more about the causes of our high and rising debt.