Economic State of the Union

Profile of some key issues shaping the nation’s status.

JOBS

Unemployment Rate (Percent of U.S. work force, 1980-’91) ‘82: 9.7% 1989: 5.3% 1991: 6.7%

TRADE

Trade Deficit (In billions of dollars) 1981: $22.3 1987: $152.1 1990: $101.7

DEFENSE

Dept. of Defense Spending (In billions of fiscal 1992 dollars) 1982: $265 1987: $330 1991*: $296 * Estimate, excluding Operation Desert Storm

PUBLIC SENTIMENT

“Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”

In a 1988 speech, Bush said Americans would be better off in four years than they were at the time if he won the White House. But a recent poll found a significant change in how the public views its economic status compared to the past: 1987 Yes: 48% No: 20%* 1991 Yes: 40% No: 43% * In 1987, poll respondents were asked to compare their status with that of five years earlier. Source: Times Mirror poll

EDUCATION

Direct Federal Support (In billions of dollars) 1982: $34.3 1991: $54.6

HEALTH

Uninsured Americans (Persons under the age of 65)

Year of uninsured percentage 1988 33.6 million 15.9% 1989 34.4 million 16.1% 1990 35.7 million 16.6%

1990 breakdown, by race Total uninsured: 35.7 million White: 58.6% Latino: 19.6% Black: 17.4% Other: 4.3% Total Insured: 215.9 million White: 74.3% Black: 12.7% Latino: 9.3% Other: 3.7%