Fiscal Confidence Index: September 2024 Results

Topline survey results from the Fiscal Confidence Index for September 2024. The FCI value for September is 47.

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 1,010 registered voters nationwide, surveyed between September 16, 2024 and September 18, 2024. 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 August 2024 scores are: Concern (34), Priority (23), Expectations (83). 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 (34)

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 54%
Increased a little 28%
Decreased a little 6%
Decreased a lot 2%
(No change) 7%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
INCREASED (NET) 82%
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 24%
Wrong track - Strongly 42%
(Neither/Mixed) 1%
(Don't Know/Refused) 3%
RIGHT DIRECTION (NET) 31%
WRONG TRACK (NET) 66%

Priority (23)

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 55%
Somewhat agree 22%
Somewhat disagree 14%
Strongly disagree 5%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
AGREE (NET) 77%
DISAGREE (NET) 18%

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 54%
A little more time 31%
A little less time 6%
A lot less time 3%
(The same amount of time) 2%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
MORE TIME (NET) 85%
LESS TIME (NET) 9%

Expectations (83)

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 9%
Somewhat better 26%
Somewhat worse 29%
Much worse 28%
(No change) 3%
(Don't know/Refused) 5%
BETTER (NET) 35%
WORSE (NET) 57%

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 9%
Somewhat optimistic 40%
Somewhat pessimistic 31%
Very pessimistic 15%
(Neither/Mixed) 2%
(Don't Know/Refused) 4%
OPTIMISTIC (NET) 49%
PESSIMISTIC (NET) 46%

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.