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Washington, Apr 15 (ANI): Highest percentage of Americans, for the first time since 1972, have said that their financial situation has gotten worse in recent years.

According to a report of the General Social Survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, 31.5 percent of Americans have said that they are “not at all” satisfied with their financial situation, while 23.4 percent said they are “pretty well” satisfied.

The survey, which NORC has conducted for forty years, is supported by the National Science Foundation and is widely referenced by journalists, researchers, and policy-makers.

The 2010 data also indicate that Americans are more insecure about employment, with 16.4 percent saying that it was “very likely” or “fairly likely” that they would lose their job or be laid off.

Only slightly over half (52.2 percent) thought it “not at all likely” that they would lose their job or be laid off, the lowest percentage ever recorded by the GSS by a substantial margin. The percentage of those who thought their standard of living was “much better” or “somewhat better” than their parents declined.

Tom W. Smith, Director of the General Social Survey, said that the recession had a great impact on the Americans’ well-being.

“The recession has had a profound influence on the economic assessments and well-being of Americans. The negative impact is notably more severe than during other economic downturns over the last four decades,” he added.

In a second report released simultaneously, 28.8 percent Americans, the lowest percentage since 1972, said they were “very happy” while the “not too happy” group, at 14.2 percent, was the highest since 1973.

Besides, 86.0 percent of Americans have claimed to be “very satisfied” or “moderately satisfied” with their work, roughly the same as the average since 1972. (ANI)