Fiscal Confidence Index: December 2022 Results

Topline survey results from the Fiscal Confidence Index for December 2022. The FCI value for December is 43.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation commissioned this poll by the Global Strategy Group and North Star Opinion Research to survey public opinion on the national debt. The online poll included 1,000 registered voters nationwide, surveyed between December 19, 2022 and December 22, 2022. 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 December 2022 scores are: Concern (36), Priority (26), Expectations (66). 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 (36)

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 51%
Increased a little 29%
Decreased a little 6%
Decreased a lot 3%
(No change) 10%
(Don't Know/Refused) 2%
INCREASED (NET) 79%
DECREASED (NET) 8%

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 10%
Right direction - Somewhat 21%
Wrong track - Somewhat 27%
Wrong track - Strongly 39%
(Neither/Mixed) 1%
(Don't Know/Refused) 2%
RIGHT DIRECTION (NET) 31%
WRONG TRACK (NET) 66%

Priority (26)

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 52%
Somewhat agree 24%
Somewhat disagree 16%
Strongly disagree 5%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
AGREE (NET) 76%
DISAGREE (NET) 20%

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 49%
A little more time 33%
A little less time 6%
A lot less time 4%
(The same amount of time) 3%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
MORE TIME (NET) 83%
LESS TIME (NET) 10%

Expectations (66)

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 8%
Somewhat better 19%
Somewhat worse 30%
Much worse 37%
(No change) 3%
(Don't know/Refused) 2%
BETTER (NET) 28%
WORSE (NET) 67%

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 7%
Somewhat optimistic 35%
Somewhat pessimistic 32%
Very pessimistic 21%
(Neither/Mixed) 2%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
OPTIMISTIC (NET) 43%
PESSIMISTIC (NET) 53%

As you may know, following the 2022 midterm elections, we will have divided government with Democrats controlling the White House and the U.S. Senate, and Republicans controlling the House of Representatives. For each statement below, please indicate how much you agree or disagree.

In a divided government, lawmakers have a responsibility to work together on priorities like the national debt.

Strongly Agree 66%
Somewhat Agree 23%
Somewhat Disagree 4%
Strongly Disagree 3%
(Don't Know) 4%
AGREE (NET) 89%
DISAGREE (NET) 7%

Members of Congress should be willing to put their election politics aside and embrace a bipartisan approach to reducing the national debt.

Strongly Agree 59%
Somewhat Agree 31%
Somewhat Disagree 3%
Strongly Disagree 3%
(Don't Know) 4%
AGREE (NET) 90%
DISAGREE (NET) 6%

The national debt shouldn’t be used as a partisan issue.

Strongly Agree 48%
Somewhat Agree 25%
Somewhat Disagree 11%
Strongly Disagree 6%
(Don't Know) 10%
AGREE (NET) 73%
DISAGREE (NET) 17%

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.