The Perception Gap in the US Economy

Poll after poll finds Americans believe the economy is getting worse. Yet, indicators such as low unemployment rates, rising wages and declining inflation tell a different story. Economists agree that the country managed to avoid another recession, but why don’t we feel good about it? Prior to 2020, Americans’ feelings about the economy tracked with objective figures, but more recently perception and reality have diverged, creating a disconnect known as the “vibecession.” We’ll talk about the perception gap, how various populations experience the economy differently and what it all means for the presidential election.

Guests:

Rachel Siegel, economy reporter, The Washington Post

Christian Paz, senior politics reporter, Vox

Gilad Edelman, senior editor, The Atlantic