(Figure adapted from B. Kennedy, E. Kikuchi, Do Americans Think the Country Is Losing or Gaining Ground in Science? , Pew Research Center, 15 January 2026.) A survey last fall of US adults shows diverging public opinion on whether the US is gaining ground, losing ground, or staying in about the same place with respect to its scientific achievements relative to other countries. Overall among respondents, 13% said that the US is gaining ground, 38% said maintaining, and 47% said losing.