The Times Economic Index : The Gloom Lingers

In statewide and national surveys conducted two weeks apart, the Los Angeles Times Poll found Californians far more pessimistic about the condition of the economy than Americans as a whole. Among both groups, though, hopes for improvement in the job picture were especially bleak. There has been little change in either groups’ economic outlook over the last year.

THE ECONOMY TODAY

Do you think we are in a recession, and if so is it mild, moderate or serious?

No Mild Moderate Serious Don’t Know California 6% 12% 25% 51% 6% National 24% 16% 27% 29% 4%

How would you describe the condition of the economy today?

Very Robust Fairly Robust Fairly Shaky Very Shaky California 1% 9% 39% 49% National 1% 17% 49% 30%

Don’t Know California 2% National 3%

THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

How do you expect the economy to be performing three months from now?*

Better Worse Same California 13% 27% 58% National 15% 25% 57%

THE JOB OUTLOOK

In your area, what will the unemployment situation be like in three months?*

Better Worse Same California 9% 26% 61% National 16% 30% 52%

* Numbers do not add up to 100% because “not sure” responses are not shown.

HOW THE POLLS WERE DONE:

The Times Economic Index is based on a set of questions asked regularly by The Times to measure Americans’ and Californians’ feelings about the strength of the economy. Californians are asked about the condition of the state’s economy; the national polls ask about the conditional of the U.S. economy as a whole. The latest California survey was conducted Sept. 10-13 among 577 adults statewide. Its margin of sampling error on percentages is plus or minus four percentage points. The latest U.S. poll was conducted Sept. 25-28 among 1,491 adults nationwide. Its margin of sampling error on percentages is plus or minus three percentage points.