American citizens’ satisfaction with the federal government declined for the third consecutive year in 2015, hitting its lowest level in at least nine years.
Overall satisfaction with the government fell to 63.9 on a 100-point scale, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report.
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The Treasury Department received a satisfaction index of just 55, making it the least favorite government department, reflecting the service that many receive from the IRS. The Department of Justice received a satisfaction index of just 59 and the Department of Veteran Affairs’ index was 60.
Still, there were some positive trends in the report. More than three-quarters of citizens said they had received better service from the government in 2016 and 69 percent reported more timely service. When it comes to receiving information, more than 70 percent said that information was clearer and more accessible in 2016 than it was in 2015.
With a customer satisfaction index of 75, the Department of Interior, which includes the National Park Service, received the highest score. Other top scorers included the Department of State, with a customer satisfaction index of 71, and the Department of Defense, with a customer satisfaction index of 70.
ACSI researchers noted the disparity between the scores of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. “Services are great when you’re enlisted, but the federal government has many challenges in delivering health services to its massive and growing population of veterans,” ACSI Director of Research Forrest Morgeson said in a statement.
