U.S. adults continue to express dissatisfaction regarding the morality and ethics of the nation, according to a Gallup report published February 2.
Only 20% of respondents say they are very or somewhat satisfied with “the moral and ethical climate” in the U.S. This total is unchanged from 2022 and is the lowest total of the eight areas surveyed. It is also 27 points below the all-time high in 2002.
By comparison, 80% are dissatisfied with the nation’s morality and ethics, up two points from last year and one point below the all-time high in 2021.
Respondents were more evenly divided when asked about “the influence of organized religion,” with 48% saying they are very / somewhat satisfied. This ranked third out of the eight aspects of U.S. society that were surveyed. This total is unchanged from last year, and it is 21 points below the all-time high in 2002.
By comparison, 50% are dissatisfied, with the rest not providing a response. This is an all-time high in the level of dissatisfaction with organized religion’s influence and 22 points above the all-time low in 2002.
There was some variation in responses in other demographic grouping. For example, respondents over 55 were less likely to be satisfied with the nation’s morality and ethics than those 18-54, and those with a college education were more likely to be dissatisfied with organized religion’s influence than those with a high school education.
However, the most notable differences emerged when analyzing responses based on political affiliation.
Only 8% of Republicans say they are very / somewhat satisfied with the nation’s morality and ethics, compared to 25% of Democrats and 22% of Independents. Republicans are the most likely to be very / somewhat satisfied with organized religion’s influence (60%), compared to 48% of Independents and 34% of Democrats.
The full report is available here. The topline results, noting a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points, are available here.
Managing editor for news and opinion at Good Faith Media.
