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 Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. President Trump celebrates a 'giant' Supreme Court win. Report an error