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1984-1998,2004: We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that 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? Is that much better/worse off or somewhat better/worse off? 2012: We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that [you /you and your family living here] are much better off financially, somewhat better off, about the same, somewhat worse off, or much worse off than you were a year ago?
How much better or worse off financially than a year ago · Asked in 16 waves, 1984–2024 · 46,170 responses · weighted estimates computed from individual responses
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. Kept and flagged: 8 (dk), 9 (other_missing). Codebook notes: 2012 NOTE: Asked as a 5-point scale 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 | Much better | Somewhat better | Same | Somewhat worse | Much worse | 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_x,finance_finpast. | 2012-09-09 to 2013-01-13 | mixed | 5,914 | 5,910 |
| ANES 2008 Time Series Study Source variable: V083057x. | 2008-09-02 to 2008-12-30 | face to face | 2,322 | 2,320 |
| ANES 2004 Time Series Study Source variable: V043061,V043062. | 2004-09-07 to 2004-12-19 | face to face | 1,212 | 1,212 |
| ANES 2002 Time Series Study Source variable: V023026. | 2002-09-18 to 2002-12-06 | phone | 1,511 | 1,511 |
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.
| 9% |
| 19% |
| 40% |
| 22% |
| 10% |
| 5270 |
| ±2 |
| Democrats | 11% | 25% | 44% | 15% | 4% | 1863 | ±3 |
| Independents (incl. leaners) | 9% | 18% | 39% | 23% | 11% | 1723 | ±3 |
| Republicans | 5% | 12% | 37% | 29% | 16% | 1651 | ±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.
| ANES 2000 Time Series Study Source variable: V000398,V001410,V001412a. |
| 2000-09-05 to 2000-12-22 |
| mixed |
| 1,807 |
| 1,692 |
| ANES 1998 Time Series Study Source variable: V980415. | 1998-11-04 to 1998-12-23 | mixed | 1,281 | 1,281 |
| ANES 1996 Time Series Study Source variable: V960338. | 1996-09-03 to 1997-01-02 | mixed | 1,714 | 1,712 |
| ANES 1994 Time Series Study Source variable: V940903. | 1994-11-09 to 1995-01-08 | mixed | 1,795 | 1,795 |
| ANES 1992 Time Series Study Source variable: V923426. | 1992-09-02 to 1993-01-16 | mixed | 2,485 | 2,481 |
| ANES 1990 Time Series Study Source variable: V900417. | 1990-11-06 to 1991-01-21 | face to face | 1,980 | 1,980 |
| ANES 1988 Time Series Study Source variable: V880207. | 1988-09-06 to 1989-01-23 | face to face | 2,040 | 2,038 |
| ANES 1986 Time Series Study Source variable: V860356. | 1986-11-05 to 1987-02-07 | face to face | 2,176 | 2,176 |
| ANES 1984 Time Series Study Source variable: V840140. | 1984-09-04 to 1985-01-24 | mixed | 2,257 | 2,249 |