Americans are exceptionally anxious about their political system, new Gallup polling shows

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are exceptionally anxious about their political system, according to new international polling from Gallup, a situation that sets the country apart from other rich and powerful nations.

About one-third of Americans rated politics and government as the top issue facing their nation, behind only Taiwan — which faces the prospect of an invasion from China — and on par with Slovenia, Spain and South Korea.

The United States also stands out for the anxiety its younger residents have over economic issues, with younger Americans more likely than young adults in many of the other 107 surveyed countries to say affordability and other pocketbook issues are worrying them

Wealthier countries are more likely to list politics and government as a top issue, as are democracies. But the U.S. stands out as a country that’s particularly concerned about the stability of its democratic system and whether it’s still possible to get ahead economically, said Benedict Vigers of Gallup.