How Is Net Approval Rating Calculated

Calculate the net approval rating by entering the percentage of people who approve and disapprove

How Is Net Approval Rating Calculated? A Comprehensive Guide

Net approval rating is a key metric used in political science, market research, and public opinion analysis to gauge overall sentiment toward a person, policy, or organization. Unlike simple approval ratings that only show the percentage of people who support something, net approval provides a more nuanced view by accounting for both approval and disapproval.

The Basic Formula

The net approval rating is calculated using this straightforward formula:

Net Approval Rating = Approval Percentage – Disapproval Percentage

For example, if 55% of respondents approve and 40% disapprove, the net approval rating would be:

55% – 40% = 15% net approval

Why Net Approval Matters

• More accurate sentiment measurement: Shows the balance between positive and negative opinions
• Better trend analysis: Helps track changes in public opinion over time
• Comparative analysis: Allows easy comparison between different entities or time periods
• Decision-making tool: Used by politicians, marketers, and analysts to guide strategy

Handling Undecided Respondents

When surveys include an “undecided” or “no opinion” category, there are two common approaches:

1. Exclude undecided: Calculate net approval using only those with definite opinions

   Formula: (Approval / (Approval + Disapproval)) – (Disapproval / (Approval + Disapproval))

   Example: 55% approve, 40% disapprove, 5% undecided → (55/95) – (40/95) = 15.79%

2. Include undecided: Treat undecided as neutral (0 value) in the calculation

   Formula: Approval – Disapproval (undecided doesn’t affect the calculation)

   Example: 55% approve, 40% disapprove, 5% undecided → 55 – 40 = 15%

Real-World Examples of Net Approval Ratings

Entity	Approval (%)	Disapproval (%)	Net Approval (%)	Date	Source
U.S. President (2023)	42	55	-13	June 2023	Gallup
UK Prime Minister (2023)	28	62	-34	July 2023	ONS
German Chancellor (2023)	58	36	22	August 2023	Destatis
French President (2023)	32	65	-33	September 2023	INSEE

Common Misconceptions About Net Approval

While net approval is a valuable metric, it’s often misunderstood. Here are some common misconceptions:

1. “Net approval shows absolute popularity”

   A positive net approval doesn’t necessarily mean most people support something. For example, 51% approve and 49% disapprove gives a +2% net approval, but nearly half are opposed.

2. “All undecided respondents are neutral”

   Undecided respondents may lean positive or negative but haven’t formed a firm opinion. Some analysts allocate undecided proportionally based on historical trends.

3. “Net approval is the same as favorability”

   Favorability often measures personal liking, while approval typically measures support for performance or policies.

4. “Small changes in net approval are meaningful”

   Due to margin of error in polling (typically ±3-4%), small fluctuations may not represent real changes in opinion.

Advanced Applications of Net Approval Ratings

Beyond simple calculations, net approval ratings are used in sophisticated ways:

• Weighted net approval: Adjusting for demographic factors or response likelihood

  Example: Younger voters’ opinions might be weighted more heavily if they’re historically underrepresented in surveys.

• Rolling averages: Smoothing volatile daily tracking polls

  Example: A 7-day rolling average of net approval ratings to identify true trends.

• Segment analysis: Calculating net approval by demographic groups

  Demographic	Approval (%)	Disapproval (%)	Net Approval (%)
  18-29 years	62	30	32
  30-49 years	50	45	5
  50-64 years	45	50	-5
  65+ years	38	58	-20

• Predictive modeling: Using net approval as an input for election forecasting

  Example: Historical relationships between incumbent net approval and reelection chances.

Limitations of Net Approval Ratings

While useful, net approval ratings have important limitations:

• Survey methodology: Results can vary based on question wording, sampling methods, and response options
• Response bias: People with strong opinions are more likely to respond to surveys
• Temporal factors: Ratings can fluctuate based on recent events rather than fundamental opinions
• Lack of intensity: Doesn’t measure how strongly people feel about their approval or disapproval
• Context dependence: The same net approval might mean different things in different contexts

Best Practices for Using Net Approval Ratings

1. Always report the components: Include both approval and disapproval percentages alongside the net figure

   Example: “Approval 55%, Disapproval 40%, Net +15%” rather than just “+15% net approval”

2. Provide context: Explain what the numbers mean in practical terms

   Example: “A net approval of +15% suggests moderate support, though nearly half remain opposed”

3. Use consistent methodology: If comparing over time, ensure the same survey methods are used
4. Consider margin of error: Note when changes are within the poll’s margin of error
5. Combine with other metrics: Use alongside favorability, intensity measures, and demographic breakdowns

Academic Research on Approval Ratings

Net approval ratings have been extensively studied in political science and public opinion research. Key findings include:

• Rally-around-the-flag effect: Approval ratings often spike during national crises (Mueller, 1970)

  Source: American Political Science Review

• Economic voting: Approval ratings correlate with economic performance (Fiorina, 1981)

  Source: Cambridge University Press

• Partisan polarization: Approval ratings have become more polarized along party lines (Jacobson, 2019)

  Source: American Political Science Association

How to Improve the Accuracy of Approval Ratings

For researchers and analysts looking to improve the quality of approval rating measurements:

1. Use multiple question formats:

   Combine direct approval questions with indirect measures (e.g., “Would you recommend this leader to others?”)

2. Implement weighting:

   Adjust results to match population demographics (age, gender, education, etc.)

3. Track over time:

   Use panel surveys that follow the same respondents to measure real changes in opinion

4. Measure intensity:

   Ask follow-up questions about strength of approval/disapproval (e.g., “How strongly do you feel?”)

5. Test question wording:

   Conduct experiments to determine how different phrasings affect responses

6. Combine with behavioral data:

   Correlate survey responses with actual behavior (voting, purchasing, etc.) when possible

Future Trends in Approval Rating Measurement

The field of public opinion measurement is evolving rapidly. Emerging trends include:

• Real-time sentiment analysis: Using social media and news analysis to supplement traditional surveys
• Mobile-first polling: Designing surveys specifically for smartphone users who now dominate response pools
• Passive data collection: Using location data, browsing history, and other digital traces to infer approval
• AI-powered analysis: Machine learning models to detect subtle patterns in approval data
• Emotion detection: Using voice analysis or facial recognition in interviews to measure emotional responses
• Blockchain verification: Ensuring survey integrity through decentralized verification systems

Frequently Asked Questions About Net Approval Ratings

What’s the difference between approval rating and net approval rating?

Approval rating shows only the percentage of people who approve, while net approval rating subtracts the disapproval percentage from the approval percentage to show the balance of opinion.

Can net approval ratings be negative?

Yes, when the disapproval percentage exceeds the approval percentage, the net approval rating will be negative. For example, 30% approve and 60% disapprove would give a net approval of -30%.

How often should net approval ratings be measured?

The frequency depends on the context. For political leaders, weekly or monthly tracking is common. For products or services, quarterly measurements might be sufficient unless there are major events that could shift opinion.

Why do different polls show different net approval ratings?

Differences can arise from:

• Different survey methodologies (online vs. phone, sampling frames)
• Variations in question wording
• Different time periods for data collection
• Variations in how undecided respondents are handled
• Statistical margin of error

How are net approval ratings used in political campaigns?

Political campaigns use net approval ratings to:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in the candidate’s image
• Guide messaging and advertising strategy
• Determine where to allocate resources geographically
• Track the effectiveness of campaign events and communications
• Identify which demographic groups need more attention
• Assess the impact of opponents’ attacks or scandals

What’s a good net approval rating?

“Good” is relative to context, but some general benchmarks:

• +20% or higher: Very strong position
• +10% to +20%: Solid approval
• 0% to +10%: Mixed but net positive
• 0% to -10%: Mixed but net negative
• -10% to -20%: Concerning disapproval
• -20% or lower: Severe disapproval

For elected officials, net approval below -10% often correlates with vulnerability in the next election.

How do approval ratings affect policy decisions?

Leaders often consider approval ratings when making policy decisions:

• High approval: May embolden leaders to take controversial actions, knowing they have public support
• Low approval: May lead to more cautious, centrist policies to avoid further alienating the public
• Polarized approval: Might result in policies that strongly appeal to the base while ignoring opponents
• Declining approval: Often prompts leaders to make visible changes to reverse the trend

However, wise leaders balance approval considerations with what they believe is the right course of action, as short-term unpopular decisions may lead to long-term benefits.