Fewer list economic issues as top priority

PRINCETON, N.J., March 14 (UPI) -- Although still a majority, fewer U.S. residents mention economic issues when asked to name the top problem facing the country, a Gallup poll indicated.

Results of the poll released Wednesday indicated 57 percent of respondents mention an economic issue as the most important problem facing the United States today, tying it with the 57 percent recorded June 2010.

The last time economic issues fell below 57 percent was in December 2009, when it was at 55 percent, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

The "economy in general" ranked as the top issue, mentioned by 24 percent in the open-ended question format, followed by 20 percent expressing dissatisfaction with government.

Two other issues are mentioned by at least 10 percent of respondents were unemployment and the federal budget deficit.

Cited by less than 10 percent, the remaining issues Americans said were the most important problems facing the country were healthcare; immigration/illegal aliens; education; guns/gun control; ethical/moral/family decline; lack of money; lack of respect for each other; foreign aid/focus overseas; environment/pollution; judicial system/court/laws; taxes; and crime/violence.

Results are based on nationwide phone interviews with 1,022 adults conducted March 7-10. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.