According to the latest Guardian/Harris poll, a significant majority of Americans are convinced that the United States is currently in an economic recession. Despite official data showing sustained growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) over recent years, 56% of respondents expressed their belief in a recessionary period.

The poll also revealed that 58% of those surveyed hold President Joe Biden responsible for what they perceive as an economic downturn. However, it is important to note that the U.S. is not technically in a recession, as a recession is defined by two or more consecutive fiscal quarters of declining GDP. In fact, the GDP increased by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2024, although lower than the 3.3% growth recorded in the previous quarter.

President Biden has been vocal about the strength of the U.S. economy, stating in a recent interview with NBC's "TODAY" that America has the best economy in the world. Despite these claims, the Guardian/Harris poll highlights a persistent disparity between economic data and public sentiment, whose impact has been evident on the Biden administration.

The country's economic recovery from the pandemic-induced chaos has been marked by positive signals, such as supply chains stabilizing and inflation exhibiting signs of being transitory. However, consumer attitudes have trailed behind, largely influenced by the soaring costs of daily living due to stubbornly high inflation.

The timing of the Guardian/Harris poll, less than six months before the November election, is significant as President Biden will face former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. The Biden campaign will aim to persuade voters to acknowledge the progress made in the country's economy since the pandemic. The administration is aware of the gap between the top-line economic numbers and how Americans are perceiving the current economic climate.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged this disparity in a January briefing, stating that although progress has been made, there is more work to be done. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between economic data and public perception, ensuring that the American people recognize the economic gains achieved during the Biden presidency.

As the election approaches, both candidates will be focused on convincing voters of their economic plans and portraying their opponents responsible for any perceived economic setbacks. The outcome of the election will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the direction of the U.S. economy in the coming years.