Full Breakdown
Gallup July 2026 Economic Confidence Index Shows Modest Gain
7/28/2026, 8:53:55 PM
Core Findings
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index (ECI) rose to -31 for the July 1-19 poll, a seven-point improvement over June’s -38 and a 14-point gain from the May low of -45. The index, which ranges from +100 (full optimism) to -100 (full pessimism), remains firmly negative. 22 % of respondents rated current economic conditions as “excellent” or “good,” up from 16 % in May, while the share calling conditions “poor” fell to 44 % from 49 %. The share believing the economy is getting better increased to 28 % from a May low of 20 %, whereas 67 % still say it is getting worse, down from a May peak of 76 %.
Recent Trend and Context
The July poll followed a brief cease-fire in the Iran-related conflict, but before renewed hostilities pushed gasoline prices higher again. Gallup notes that rising energy costs tied to the Iran war have been a key factor keeping overall sentiment negative, even as the modest index rebound suggests a slight easing of pessimism (Gallup; UPI).
Partisan Variation
Republicans posted the only positive score, +41, up from +22 in May, while independents improved to -38 from -58. Democrats remained the most pessimistic, slipping to -76 from -80 in May. In terms of the nation’s top problem, 28 % of all adults named “government” in July, with Democrats most likely to do so (38 %) and Republicans least likely (25 %). Republicans were the most likely to cite immigration (24 %).
Dominant Concerns
High-cost living, inflation and general economic worries continue to dominate respondents’ concerns, each mentioned by roughly 11 % of adults in July after peaking earlier in the year. Energy price volatility linked to the Iran conflict remains a persistent drag on confidence (Gallup; UPI).
Outlook
Analysts caution that if gasoline prices keep rising as hostilities resume, the modest confidence gains could erode before the fall. The next shift in the index will likely hinge on energy-cost trends and any further developments in the Iran-U.S. confrontation.
