3 Things to Know: More Than a Quarter of Americans Are Job Searching, REAL ID Uncertainties Ahead of Deadline, and Lent Intent
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1. Twenty-eight percent of Americans say they’re looking for a new job right now amid a turbulent economy and job market.
As tariff policies continue to sway back and forth and cuts to the federal workforce carry on, new CivicScience data reveal that 28% of Americans are currently looking for a new job. The most common industries in which Americans are seeking work are trade/transportation/retail, followed by health services and education services. When it comes to their outlook on the job market, job seekers in construction/manufacturing and health services – two sectors that could be hard hit by tariffs and other policies – are the most likely to be pessimistic about the job market over the next six months.
Use this Data: The press, brands, and marketers can use this chart to understand how consumers are feeling toward the job market amid uncertainty and tariff policies to gain an idea of how the job market might be impacted in the months ahead.
2. More than a third of Americans currently without a REAL ID are either unsure what it is, how to get one, or when they need it by as the May deadline looms.
Starting on May 7, Americans will need a REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or a passport if they want to travel by plane, even for domestic flights. A majority of respondents (56%) who plan to fly after the deadline say they already have a REAL ID-compliant license, and another 28% plan to get one before they travel. The remaining 17% plan to use a passport or other form of ID allowed under the new rules.?
Among respondents who don’t have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license and haven’t made plans to get one, 3 in 10 say they don’t have any plans to travel or plan to use their passport as ID if they do. Notably, as much as 35% percent of consumers without a REAL ID – and 43% of Gen Z adults (18-29) without one – say they either don’t know how to get a REAL ID, don’t know if/when they need one, or don’t know what a REAL ID is. An additional 14% of Gen Pop report the process to get one is too expensive or time consuming.
Take our Poll: Are you prepared for the REAL ID deadline?
3. Those participating in giving something up for Lent are more likely to abstain from dining out, alcohol, and caffeine consumption.
Lent officially started last week, and CivicScience data show that observers are most likely to give up alcohol and fast-food/dining out. This marks a shift from Lent last year when desserts/sweets and gossiping/complaining were most likely to be given up – costs likely played a role in that decision this year. Other YoY shifts include a slight uptick in those giving up soda/caffeine compared to 2024, while fewer are giving up social media, desserts/sweets, and TV/streaming.
Let us Know: Do you abstain from eating meat during Lent?
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