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Back to Work: Listening to Americans

Understand how COVID-19 and the ensuing economic crisis have brought together a majority of Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, on priorities for COVID-19 recovery.

In addition to the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has wrought in terms of lives lost, it has been one of the most economically disruptive crises in U.S. history. Among the most urgent concerns is the rising number of the long-term unemployed. In January 2021, four million Americans had been unemployed for six months or more, accounting for 39.5% of the total unemployed.

Gallup, in partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York, developed the Back to Work: Listening to Americans survey to understand the issues Americans face today and reveal that even in these deeply divided times, an overwhelming majority of Americans can find common ground on priorities for COVID-19 recovery. The study explores important issues such as:

  • Americans' views of the most important issues facing the nation amid COVID-19
  • American support for a jobs-and-training initiative
  • High priority areas to address with a national jobs recovery program
Front cover of Gallup and Carnegie Corporation of New York's Back to Work report, featuring six people doing their jobs.

93%
of Americans said they favor a national initiative that creates paid work and job training opportunities as a component of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts

62%
of Americans said pairing paid work with education or training opportunities is the best way to prepare people for future jobs

76%
of Americans said that the economy and job loss are issues that have become more urgent in recent months

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