Gallup: U.S. Support for Capitalism Falls to Lowest Level Since 2010

A Gallup poll released Tuesday found Americans’ positive view of capitalism fell to 54% in 2025, the lowest level recorded since the firm began tracking public attitudes toward economic systems in 2010.

The poll showed capitalism’s favorability down from 60% in 2021, while socialism’s overall positive rating held at 39%. Gallup also reported a majority of respondents, about 57%, held an unfavorable view of socialism. Views of big business have weakened markedly: just 37% of Americans now say they view big business favorably, while 62% hold an unfavorable view.

Partisan splits in the poll were pronounced. Democrats’ positive view of capitalism dropped eight percentage points since 2021 and, for the first time in Gallup’s tracking, fewer than half of Democrats (42%) said they viewed capitalism positively. At the same time, two-thirds of Democrats (66%) expressed a favorable view of socialism, reversing historical patterns. Gallup noted that Democrats are the only major partisan group that views socialism more positively than capitalism.

Independents were modestly more pro-capitalism than pro-socialism, with 51% favoring capitalism and 38% favoring socialism. Republicans remained strongly pro-capitalism, with about three-quarters (74%) holding a favorable view of the system and just 14% viewing socialism favorably.

Gallup highlighted a longer-term trend among Democrats: favorability toward socialism has climbed since the pollster began asking about economic systems, rising from roughly 50% in 2010 to about two-thirds in 2025. The firm linked that shift, in part, to a rise in high-profile Democratic officials who identify with democratic socialism and who have advocated for expanded government roles in the economy.

Perceptions of big business have deteriorated in recent years, Gallup reported, including a nine-point drop in favorable views this year and a six-point drop in 2021. Americans’ positive view of big business peaked at 58% in 2012 and has generally declined since, with only a brief uptick in 2019.

The poll’s findings reflect shifting public attitudes toward economic systems and institutions amid ongoing political and economic debate. Gallup’s analysis emphasized the role of partisan alignment and prominent political figures in shaping views, noting Democrats’ growing comfort with socialist ideas concurrent with advocacy by some elected officials for policies that would increase government involvement in economic matters.

The survey continues a multi-year Gallup tracking of attitudes toward capitalism, socialism and business that provides a barometer of how public confidence in economic systems and corporate institutions is evolving across party lines.