US | US economy 59% Pessimistic About US Economy That's the highest level in nearly 15 years By Evann Gastaldo Posted Jul 25, 2011 3:13 PM CDT Updated Jul 25, 2011 3:27 PM CDT Copied Job seekers wait in a line at a job fair in Southfield, Mich., Wednesday, June 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) With unemployment levels high and the US on the brink of default, is it any surprise that American pessimism has reached a 15-year high? A new CNN poll cited by Politico finds that 59% expect the economy to be in bad shape a year from now, the highest percentage since CNN started asking that question in 1997. Of those surveyed, 40% expect the economy to be in good shape a year from now, but only 4% of those believe it will be in "very" good shape. The only other time such pessimism has reached the halfway mark or worse was in September 2005, when 50% said they feared poor economic conditions by the following year. And even some of those who are optimistic admit the economy isn't doing so well at the moment: 84% say the current economy is in poor condition, while 16% believe it's in good condition. Click for more poll results. Read These Next The Air Force has changed its tune on Ashli Babbitt. Details trickle out on 2 more victims of the Minneapolis shooting. Open that wallet big time for a trip to Disney, if you can afford it. A 'tense' clash with RFK Jr. led to CDC chief's trouble. Report an error