Gallup’s 2025 poll shows farming and computer industries rated most positively by Americans, while the federal government sinks to lowest ranking. (Reuters)

- Gallup poll shows farming and computer industries top U.S. business sector ratings, while federal government ranks worst.
- Restaurant industry joins farming and computers as only sectors with majority-positive public ratings in Gallup survey.
- Federal government, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals receive majority-negative ratings from U.S. adults, Gallup finds.
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The farming and computer industries are viewed most favorably among 25 major U.S. business sectors, according to Gallup’s latest Work and Education poll. Sixty percent of Americans rated farming positively, followed closely by computers at 59%. The restaurant industry was the only other sector to earn majority-positive views, at 52%.
Gallup has tracked public opinion of business sectors since 2001. Farming, computers, and restaurants have consistently remained in the top tier over that period.
At the opposite end, the federal government reclaimed its position as the lowest-rated sector. Roughly six in 10 adults rated it negatively, displacing the pharmaceutical industry, which rebounded this year with an eight-point gain. Healthcare also fared poorly, with 51% of respondents holding a negative view.
American Have Dim View of Business
Overall, Americans’ attitudes toward business remain weak. The average positive rating across all 25 industries was 38%, marking the fifth straight year under 40%. The record high was 49% in 2017.
Some industries showed significant movement: electric and gas utilities, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals all improved notably. In contrast, the movie, television and radio, and telephone industries hit record-low ratings, each with just about one-third of Americans expressing positive views.
Partisanship strongly shaped perceptions. Republicans, buoyed by Donald Trump’s return to the White House, rated industries nine points higher on average than last year. Democrats’ ratings fell six points. The sharpest partisan divides appeared in oil and gas, farming, and movies.
