(The Hill) — A growing number of Americans are expressing anxiety about securing quality employment, as highlighted by a recent survey.

The poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that 47 percent of participants feel “not very confident” or “not at all confident” in their ability to land a desirable job if the need arises, when considering their financial circumstances.

In comparison, this sentiment was shared by 37 percent in 2023 and only 27 percent in 2021, indicating a significant 20-point increase over the past four years.

Conversely, the poll shows that just 21 percent of respondents feel “extremely confident” or “very confident” in finding a suitable job, given their current financial situation.

Meanwhile, U.S. private sector firms reported a reduction of 32,000 employees last month, as economic concerns prompt businesses to curtail hiring.

The ADP National Employment Report underscored a continued decline in private sector employment, reflecting a broader slowdown that has been apparent throughout the year.

“Despite the strong economic growth we saw in the second quarter, this month’s release further validates what we’ve been seeing in the labor market, that U.S. employers have been cautious with hiring,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.

In the AP-NORC poll, 12 percent said their family was “getting ahead” when it came to their financial situation, 59 percent said their family was “holding steady” and 28 percent said their family was “falling behind.”

The survey took place Oct. 9-13, featuring 1,289 people and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.