They’re having to spend more on essentials. People are really focused on the pocketbook, or the “kitchen table” issues. Unemployment is relatively low right now. Mallory Newall: I think for many people it really is about inflation, kind of setting aside sort of the official numbers about unemployment. Spending more on lessĪndré Dua: What do you think is driving that feeling that the dream is perhaps slipping away? And what we’re seeing now, more so than last year, is that, for many, access to opportunity is out of reach. Tying that all together, this survey touches on this overarching concept of the “American dream” and if it is attainable for people. And at the time that we fielded this survey, the conflict in Ukraine was really ramping up. One of the key findings of this most recent survey, in a word, was pessimism about accelerating inflation, about rising gas prices. Mallory Newall: That is a really important question for this moment. So let me start, Mallory, by asking, how do you think Americans feel about their economic opportunity right now? I think this is an especially important topic right now with so much conversation around the potential for recession, the impact of inflation, employment opportunities, and more. Speaking of how regular Americans feel, let’s start by talking a little bit about the work that we at McKinsey do together with Ipsos on the American Opportunities Survey, which is a survey of 25,000 Americans in which we explore their attitudes toward economic opportunity and inclusion, their economic well-being, and some of the key barriers they face in the workforce. Our real mission is about elevating the voice of the people, helping bring what regular folks care about, what they’re concerned about, into the discourse, into the debate so that they’re heard in addition to all the experts and pundits and talking heads out there.Īndré Dua: That is a great segue to where I’d like to take the conversation. Ipsos is part of a large global company, and I am also on the global committee that oversees a lot of our work that crosses borders. I currently lead our public opinion research practice in the United States. Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher RSSĬhris Jackson: I have been doing research for about two decades. Prior to that, I cut my teeth in research in political polling. As you mentioned, we do a lot of public-facing polling here in the US. I have been at Ipsos for the past five years, working closely with my partner-in-crime, Chris. Chris and Mallory, welcome and thanks for being here today.Ĭhris Jackson: It’s great to be with you.Īndré Dua: Before we jump in, can you tell listeners a little about each of your backgrounds? Mallory is a vice president for Ipsos, where she specializes in issues-based research, examining public opinion trends, and designing surveys for public consumption. His research specialties include public opinion trends, election polling, strategic communications, and reputation. Chris is a senior vice president for Ipsos. Today I’m joined by Chris Jackson and Mallory Newall. I’m a senior partner with McKinsey and the managing partner of our Miami office. How Americans are feeling about economic opportunities and the futureĪndré Dua: Welcome to the 12th episode of McKinsey’s Future of America podcast, where we’ll explore how we can build a future that drives sustainable and inclusive growth.

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