PAGE 2 — THE SCORECARD

Headline

Where America Leads—and Where It Falls Behind

1. Economic Strength (Top Tier)

The U.S. remains one of the most powerful economic systems in the world:

• Highest disposable income among advanced economies

• Strong labor market performance

• Leading productivity growth

👉 Conclusion:
America produces more wealth per person than most democracies.

2. Real Standard of Living (Mid-Tier)

When cost and access are considered:

• Healthcare is significantly more expensive

• Education costs are higher

• Housing affordability is worse in major regions

👉 Conclusion:
Higher income is partially offset by higher private costs.

3. Life Outcomes (Below Peer Average)

Compared to other advanced democracies:

• Lower life expectancy

• Higher inequality

• Lower happiness rankings

• Higher violent crime rates

👉 Conclusion:
The U.S. converts wealth into outcomes less efficiently.

4. Government Performance (Mixed to Weak)

AreaAssessmentHealthcare systemHigh cost, lower outcomesFiscal disciplinePersistent deficitsPublic trustBelow peer nationsAdministrative coordinationFragmented

Bottom Line

The United States excels at creating wealth—but underperforms at delivering consistent, equitable outcomes.

US is doing less well than it used to compared to other countries. Categories from strongest to weakest relative position (ranked summary). View this as an objective, data-driven analysis of the "facts."

1. 🟢 Income & purchasing power — Top tier

2. 🟢 Economic dynamism/productivity — Top tier

3. 🟢 Employment — Above average

4. 🟢 Higher education strength — Strong

5. 🟡 K–12 performance — Mixed

6. 🟡 Government administrative capacity — Moderate

7. 🔴 Fiscal discipline — Weak

8. 🔴 Inequality — High (worse than peers)

9. 🔴 Happiness & wellbeing — Below peers

10. 🔴 Safety — Below peers

11. 🔴 Healthcare efficiency — Major weakness

12. 🔴 Institutional trust & political function — Significant weakness

—AI analysis from multiple sources 2026

US Declining vs Developed Countries

Americans See Problems

—AI analysis from multiple survey sources 2026

What Americans are most concerned about. Marked agreement with the data, but skewed toward their specific situation. These views

1. 🔴 Cost of living

2. 🔴 Healthcare

3. 🔴 Government dysfunction

4. 🔴 Crime

5. 🟡 Immigration

6. 🟡 Economy (perception gap)

7. 🟡 Education

8. 🟡 Taxes/spending

9. 🟢 Inequality

10. 🟢 Debt/deficit

Key takeaway: Trust is collapsing faster than outcomes. People may tolerate imperfect outcomes, but they do not tolerate a system that appears broken or unresponsive.

What's Your Take? Is There a Need for Action?