Consumer sentiment fell sharply in March, with Democrats’ expectations for the economy hitting an all-time low, according to the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment survey, highlighting an unprecedented partisan divide in economic outlook.
The survey’s headline index dropped to 57.9, down from 64.7 in February, reaching its lowest level since November 2022. While sentiment declined across income levels and age groups, Democrats saw the sharpest deterioration, with their expectations index plunging to 28.2—a level lower than during the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, or Donald Trump’s first term.
By contrast, Republican expectations remained high at 95.7, marking a 67.5-point gap—the largest partisan divide ever recorded in the survey. Independent voters saw expectations decline to 51.8, putting them closer to Democrats than Republicans for the first time in years.
Democratic Sentiment at Historic Low
At 28.2, the expectations index for…
Connect with us on our socials: