A new poll reveals that economic issues, immigration, and health care are the primary concerns for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults as they look toward 2026.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults share many of the same concerns as the broader American population, with economic issues, immigration, and health care emerging as top policy priorities for the upcoming year. A recent poll conducted by AAPI Data and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research highlights these pressing issues.
The poll indicates a significant lack of confidence in the federal government’s ability to address these concerns. Only 10% of respondents expressed optimism that the government would make meaningful progress on important issues in 2026. This marks a decline in confidence from a previous poll conducted in December 2024, where 60% of AAPI adults reported feeling either not at all or only slightly confident. As President Donald Trump begins his second year back in office, the sentiment appears to have worsened, with 70% of respondents now expressing skepticism.
Economic issues are particularly salient, with 72% of AAPI adults identifying at least one economic concern that they believe the government should prioritize in 2026. Personal finance issues were also highlighted, with 42% of respondents mentioning them as significant. Inflation and the rising cost of living are at the forefront of these concerns, with 49% of AAPI adults citing them as key priorities—an increase from 37% the previous year and notably higher than the general public’s concern at 33%.
Looking ahead, 58% of AAPI adults believe the national economy will deteriorate, while approximately a quarter anticipate it will remain unchanged. Only 17% are hopeful for improvement. In contrast, AAPI adults are slightly more optimistic about their personal finances, with 45% expecting their situation to remain stable, compared to 35% who predict a decline. Nineteen percent foresee an improvement in their personal financial circumstances.
Health care also ranks high on the list of concerns for AAPI communities. Forty-four percent of respondents mentioned health care issues, a notable rise from 32% last year. Additionally, 60% of AAPI adults expressed significant concern about rising health care costs, while nearly 40% worry about access to health care, affordability, and the potential loss of health insurance.
These health care concerns resonate with the general population, reflecting a broader anxiety about the state of health services in the United States. While only 6% of AAPI adults identified democracy as a primary issue, there is a palpable concern regarding its functionality. Over half of the respondents (57%) view the U.S. as a poorly functioning democracy, with only 21% believing it operates effectively. Another 21% do not consider it a democracy at all.
Concerns about civil liberties are also prevalent, with 58% of AAPI adults perceiving significant threats to freedom of speech and 57% to freedom of the press. Nearly half (48%) believe their personal rights and freedoms will decline over the next year, while 42% expect them to remain the same.
Despite these challenges, AAPI adults demonstrate a commitment to community support and charitable giving. The survey reveals that a majority of AAPI adults have contributed to those in need over the past year, with about half donating between $1 and $500. While the amounts donated are comparable to those of the general population, AAPI adults are more likely to support crowdfunding campaigns, disaster relief organizations, and educational institutions.
Similar to the general population, confidence in a charity’s impact (69%) and belief in its mission (69%) are the primary motivators for AAPI adults when making donations. Additionally, about three-quarters of respondents consider it very or extremely important to provide assistance to friends and family, while half feel the same about supporting neighbors and community members. However, fewer respondents express the same level of concern for individuals living elsewhere in the U.S. (31%) or outside the country (26%).
Overall, the findings underscore the shared priorities of AAPI adults and the general population, particularly regarding economic stability and personal finances. The poll, conducted from December 2 to December 8, 2025, surveyed 1,029 AAPI adults aged 18 and older living in the United States, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.7 percentage points, according to AAPI Data.