Is 2026 a tough year?

What Americans Expect from 2026

As the calendar turned to 2026, a palpable sense of unease settled across the U.S. A recent survey reveals that most Americans brace for a turbulent year ahead. With striking consensus, 89% predict ongoing political conflict—hardly surprising given the deep partisan divides that have defined recent years. Washington remains a battleground, and citizens expect more gridlock than progress.

On the global stage, 73% foresee continued international discord. Tensions with major powers, regional conflicts, and shifting alliances contribute to a mood of uncertainty. Chief among these concerns is China: 72% of respondents believe its global influence will grow stronger this year, a sentiment echoing in trade, technology, and military spheres.

Seven in ten expect a ballooning federal budget deficit, while 68% foresee economic difficulty. Inflation remains a specter of the recent past—59% think prices will keep rising—while unemployment and taxes are expected to climb, each troubling 62% of those surveyed.

Domestically, more than half—56%—believe crime will increase. This fear isn’t just anecdotal; it reflects broader concerns about safety, policing, and social stability in cities and suburbs alike.

What stands out isn’t just the list of predicted challenges, but the overwhelming sense that things are spiraling beyond control. Unlike past years where optimism balanced caution, 2026 feels different—a year where many expect storms, not solutions.

Of course, predictions aren’t destiny. But when such a broad majority sees turbulence ahead, it signals something deeper: a collective loss of confidence in institutions, leadership, and the idea of steady progress. Whether 2026 proves as rough as expected may depend less on events themselves, and more on how prepared the country is to face them—together.