The following is from Rasmussen Reports.

Most Americans say 2025 was not a very good year, but many are optimistic about the year ahead, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey.

Just 6% of American adults say 2025 was one of the best years ever. Fourteen percent say it was an excellent year, and 19% rate it as good. In contrast, 38% say 2025 was a poor year. Overall, 39% rate the year as at least good, slightly higher than last year, when 36% said the same about 2024.

Looking ahead, half of Americans say they expect 2026 to be at least a good year. That includes 17% who say it will be excellent and 11% who believe it will be one of the best years ever. Meanwhile, 25% say they expect 2026 to be a poor year. Optimism about 2026 is closely tied to views of 2025, with 85% of those who rated 2025 as one of the best years ever saying they expect 2026 to be at least a good year.

Views differ sharply by political affiliation. Sixty-seven percent of Republicans say 2025 was at least a good year, compared with 21% of Democrats. More than half of Democrats, 54%, rate 2025 as a poor year. Among voters not affiliated with either major party, 32% say 2025 was at least a good year, while 42% rate it poor.

Expectations for 2026 also vary by party. Seventy-five percent of Republicans say they believe 2026 will be at least a good year, compared with 33% of Democrats and 44% of voters not affiliated with either major party.

The survey of 1,234 American adults was conducted December 21–23, 2025, by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

To view survey question wording, click here.