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1962-1998,2004: We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that (1962,1966-1974: you [and your family]; 1976 and later : you [and your family living here]) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago. 2000-2002: Would you say that you (and your family) (2000 FACE-TO-FACE ONLY: living here) are better off, worse off, or just about the same financially as you were a year ago?
Financially better or worse off than a year ago · Asked in 26 waves, 1962–2024 · 61,035 responses · weighted estimates computed from individual responses
Codebook weight: VCF0010x/VCF0010y/VCF0010z (differs from VCF0009z only in 1970). Whether 'the same' was offered varies: the codebook says it was read as an option in 2000 and 2002 and was volunteered only in 2004, and its share swings from 8% (2012) to 55% (2000), so compare 'better' against 'worse' rather than either alone. Codes that include 'no Pre/Post IW' were dropped for respondents without that interview. Dropped only in years where the codebook names a design split (alternate form, half sample, abbreviated or web instrument): 0 in 1972, 2000. NA code treated as not asked where it exceeds 10% of a year's answers (an unlabeled split or filter): 0 in 1970. Kept and flagged: 0 (no_answer), 9 (dk). Codebook notes: GENERAL NOTE: Weight variable VCF0010/VCF0010A must be used if distributions including 1970 data are desired: see VCF0010. Note that use of VCF0010/VCF0010A as a weight reduces the 1970 total N for this variable: form 2 whites who should appear as code 0 INAP cases are excluded from the 1970 total N. 2000 NOTE: Respondents were randomly assigned to be administered this question in either the Pre or Post.
Dashed lines mark changes in how interviews were done, which can shift answers: 1. → mixed mode (2012).
Shares of people who gave an answer. Each column is one wave, evenly spaced rather than to scale in time; hover for exact shares.
| Group | Better Now | Same (2004: Volunteered) | Worse Now | n | MoE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All respondents |
| Poll | Field dates | Mode | Respondents | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANES 2024 Time Series Study Source variable: V241451. | 2024-08-03 to 2025-02-17 | mixed | 5,521 | 5,270 |
| ANES 2020 Time Series Study Source variable: V201502. | 2020-08-18 to 2021-01-04 | mixed | 8,280 | 8,274 |
| ANES 2016 Time Series Study Source variable: V161110. | 2016-09-07 to 2017-01-09 | mixed | 4,270 | 4,269 |
| ANES 2012 Time Series Study Source variable: finance_finpast. | 2012-09-09 to 2013-01-13 | mixed | 5,914 | 5,910 |
| ANES 2008 Time Series Study Source variable: V083057. | 2008-09-02 to 2008-12-30 | face to face | 2,322 | 2,322 |
| ANES 2004 Time Series Study Source variable: V043061. | 2004-09-07 to 2004-12-19 | face to face | 1,212 | 1,212 |
| ANES 2002 Time Series Study Source variable: V023025. | 2002-09-18 to 2002-12-06 | phone | 1,511 | 1,511 |
| ANES 2000 Time Series Study |
Dashed lines mark changes in how interviews were done, which can shift answers: 1. → mixed mode (2012).
Shares of people who gave an answer. A group’s column is left blank in waves where its effective sample is under 50; hover for exact shares.
| 27% |
| 40% |
| 33% |
| 5270 |
| ±2 |
| Men | 28% | 39% | 33% | 2427 | ±3 |
| Women | 26% | 41% | 32% | 2806 | ±3 |
ANES 2024 Time Series Study · US citizens 18+ (face-to-face samples: contiguous 48 states and DC; web samples: 50 states and DC). Shares of people who gave an answer. n is unweighted; ± is the 95% margin of error at 50% from the weighted effective sample. Groups with an effective sample under 50 are grayed; under 20, hidden.
| 2000-09-05 to 2000-12-22 |
| mixed |
| 1,807 |
| 1,692 |
| ANES 1998 Time Series Study Source variable: V980414. | 1998-11-04 to 1998-12-23 | mixed | 1,281 | 1,281 |
| ANES 1996 Time Series Study Source variable: V960337. | 1996-09-03 to 1997-01-02 | mixed | 1,714 | 1,713 |
| ANES 1994 Time Series Study Source variable: V940902. | 1994-11-09 to 1995-01-08 | mixed | 1,795 | 1,795 |
| ANES 1992 Time Series Study Source variable: V923425. | 1992-09-02 to 1993-01-16 | mixed | 2,485 | 2,481 |
| ANES 1990 Time Series Study Source variable: V900416. | 1990-11-06 to 1991-01-21 | face to face | 1,980 | 1,980 |
| ANES 1988 Time Series Study Source variable: V880206. | 1988-09-06 to 1989-01-23 | face to face | 2,040 | 2,038 |
| ANES 1986 Time Series Study Source variable: V860355. | 1986-11-05 to 1987-02-07 | face to face | 2,176 | 2,176 |
| ANES 1984 Time Series Study Source variable: V840139. | 1984-09-04 to 1985-01-24 | mixed | 2,257 | 2,249 |
| ANES 1982 Time Series Study Source variable: V820325. | 1982-11-02 to 1983-01-31 | face to face | 1,418 | 1,418 |
| ANES 1980 Time Series Study Source variable: V800147. | 1980-09-02 to 1981-02-07 | face to face | 1,614 | 1,608 |
| ANES 1978 Time Series Study Source variable: V780321. | 1978-11-08 to 1979-01-25 | face to face | 2,304 | 2,304 |
| ANES 1976 Time Series Study Source variable: V763137. | 1976-09-07 to 1977-01-30 | face to face | 2,248 | 2,239 |
| ANES 1974 Time Series Study Source variable: V742313. | 1974-11-06 to 1975-01-31 | face to face | 1,575 | 1,575 |
| ANES 1972 Time Series Study Source variable: V720501. | 1972-09-01 to 1973-02-13 | face to face | 2,705 | 972 |
| ANES 1970 Time Series Study Source variable: V700048(type 1). | 1970-11-04 to 1971-01-13 | face to face | 1,507 | 810 |
| ANES 1968 Time Series Study Source variable: V680275. | 1968-09-06 to 1969-01-28 | face to face | 1,557 | 1,348 |
| ANES 1966 Time Series Study Source variable: V660044. | 1966-11-08 to 1967-02-01 | face to face | 1,291 | 1,291 |
| ANES 1962 Time Series Study Source variable: V620014. | 1962-11-07 | face to face | 1,297 | 1,297 |