The state of personal satisfaction among Americans has taken a dip, according to the latest Mood of the Nation poll conducted by Gallup.

Less than half of the respondents (47%) reported feeling “very satisfied” with their lives, down from 50% last year and hovering just above the 2011 record low.

In recent examinations of American sentiment, satisfaction levels have shown a concerning downtrend, pointing toward broader economic implications. Findings connect the pulse of American contentment to their economic situation — with previous dips observed during moments of financial turmoil, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the aftermath of the 2007-2009 recession, where satisfaction hit 47% and 46% respectively.

Today’s landscape offers a complex emotional mix. In the new survey, 31% of Americans said they consider themselves “somewhat satisfied” with their lives. And yet, there’s a notable presence of dissatisfaction. About 11% express that they are somewhat dissatisfied, and another 9% are very dissatisfied.

These sentiments unfold against the dark canvas of a national economy perceived as troubled.

In another part of the survey that was conducted Jan. 2-22, the proportion of U.S. adults who claim total life satisfaction — including both “very satisfied” and “somewhat satisfied” — has dropped to 78%. This marks not only a noteworthy departure from the 84% average sustained since such surveys started in 1979 but also registers as the lowest point of collective contentment since 2011, signifying a 5% decline within just one year.

January 2020 marked a high point in American satisfaction, reaching an impressive 90% alongside burgeoning economic confidence. But this peak was short-lived as the advent of COVID-19 precipitated an abrupt economic reversal.

The latest data doesn’t uniformly cast a shadow across all groups. Notable pockets of the population report maintaining higher levels of satisfaction — including those with incomes exceeding $100,000, married couples, regular churchgoers, college-educated individuals, Democrats and seniors aged 55 or above.

While most of these demographics have experienced stability or minor drops in satisfaction year-over-year, a pronounced decrease is observed among Republicans, who witnessed a substantial 10 percentage point reduction.

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