Americans’ perceptions of various key U.S. business sectors remain historically weak overall, with just farming, computers and restaurants earning majority-positive ratings this year, according to the results of Gallup’s recent Work and Education Poll.
At the same time, several industries, including movies, television and radio, and telephones, have sunk to record lows, while the federal government again ranks as the least popular sector, Gallup said.
The average positive rating across all 25 sectors measured in Gallup's Aug. 1-20 Work and Education poll is 38%, essentially unchanged from last year’s 37% average. This marks the fifth consecutive year it has averaged under 40%.
The farming and computer industries led the annual ratings of key U.S. business sectors, with 60% and 59% of Americans, respectively, viewing them “very” or “somewhat” positively. The restaurant industry was rated positively by 52% of Americans.
Since Gallup began tracking this measure in 2001, these three industries have consistently earned majority-positive ratings, based on a five-point scale ranging from “very positive” to “very negative,” in nearly all years.
At the other end of the spectrum, the federal government has returned to the position of worst-rated sector. It displaces the pharmaceutical industry, which had occupied the lowest position for the past two years but has rebounded with an 8-percentage-point increase this year.
The federal government is viewed negatively or very negatively by 61% of Americans. The pharmaceutical industry had a negative/very negative rating of 58% and the healthcare industry had a negative/very negative rating of 51%.
Television and radio, which had a 42% positive/somewhat positive rating in 2001, experienced a steep 10-point decline to 32% in 2025. The industry now has a 41% negative/very negative rating and a 27% neutral rating.
The telephone industry has fallen from a 39% positive/somewhat positive ranking in 2001 to 34%. The movie industry has fallen from a 33% positive/somewhat positive rating in 2001 to 31% in 2025. These represent record lows.
To view the complete results of the poll, go here.
