AAPI Poll: Economy, Health, Housing Costs Matter Most; DOGE Job Cuts Opposed

Photo: Carrie Rosema

Photo: Karthick Ramakrishnan of AAPI Data.,

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — With rising costs weighing on American households, a new survey finds that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) overwhelmingly want the federal government to focus on tackling everyday economic burdens rather than eliminating entire agencies or cutting public-sector jobs.

The poll, released March 12 by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, reveals that nearly 8 in 10 AAPI adults view health care costs as a top concern, followed closely by food prices and housing affordability. This economic anxiety stands in contrast to the cost-cutting measures pursued by President Donald Trump’s administration, which has proposed dismantling agencies like the Department of Education under the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by adviser Elon Musk.

While Republicans have framed these moves as necessary to curb government spending, AAPI adults appear largely skeptical. About 6 in 10 oppose eliminating entire federal agencies, compared to only about 1 in 10 who support such actions—figures notably lower than those for the U.S. public at large. Additionally, nearly half of AAPI respondents reject the idea of mass layoffs of federal workers.

Beyond skepticism toward sweeping government cuts, the survey highlights a clear preference for increased investment in public services. Two-thirds of AAPI adults believe the country is underfunding education, and around 6 in 10 say the same about healthcare, environmental protections, and homelessness initiatives. However, military spending stands out as an exception—about half of AAPI adults say the U.S. is spending too much on defense.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, noted that the findings reflect a pragmatic approach among AAPI communities. “They tend to be focused on solutions and less so on partisanship,” he said.

The poll surveyed 1,170 U.S. adults identifying as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander between Feb. 4-11, 2025. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.