44 ways to judge the Obama era – CNN International
Those eight years saw the nation grapple with the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. The country's response to that crisis helped reshape the economy and the makeup of the political system a few times over. And for every day of those eight years, the nation was at war -- on multiple fronts, against multiple groups for multiple purposes.
All of these momentous changes during Obama's presidency had very real effects on people across the country and the globe. And for each of these real-world impacts, there is a number.
The recession cost many people their livelihood. The following years saw many of those same people gain it back. While part of the drop in unemployment came from people leaving the workforce, enough people have jobs now that, statistically speaking, employment has recovered from the darkest days of the economic crisis.
Due in part to a revolution in domestic fossil fuels and massive oil production overseas, oil and gas have been pretty cheap for some of Obama's presidency.
Here's what the situation looks like.
Following years of upward climb and a rally after President-elect Donald Trump's electoral victory, stocks are near record highs.
Here's stock market performance as of January 3, 2017:
Obama's election coincided with Democratic victories across the nation and the strong 2008 showing built on the party's successes in 2006. But as the years went on, the situation virtually reversed itself. Obama will exit office with the Republican Party resurgent on the state and federal levels.
Deaths from opioid-related overdose deaths have been on the rise. More people are dying from overdoses on heroin and prescription pain medicine like oxycodone and fentanyl.
States with legal marijuana or cannabis products have blossomed under Obama. When he took office, recreational marijuana wasn't legal in any state.
The Affordable Care Act set aside funding for states to expand Medicaid -- a government health care program for the poorest Americans. But the process became something of a tussle with state governments and many of their Republican leaders. By the end of Obama's presidency, only the slim majority of states had opted to expand Medicaid.
As the economy recovered and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, reformed the health care market, more people had health insurance coverage.
Here's the total percentage of people without insurance, according to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey:
By the end of Obama's presidency, government debt had nearly doubled to about $20 trillion.
Trump said during his campaign that he'd create a special force to deport undocumented immigrants. Although Obama criticized Trump's immigration proposals, he detained and deported millions of men, women and children. Obama's administration deported the people -- 434,015 -- in 2013.
The US has grown more unequal over the past few decades, including the past eight years.
One commonly cited measure is the Gini index. The number ranges from zero to 1, and the higher the Gini index is, the more unequal the distribution of income is.
According to the Census, it was .469 in 2009 and .4817 in 2017.
The bottom half of earners have seen their pre-tax incomes fall while the highest earners have seen a fairly steady rise.
Debate abounds over how and why incomes vary by gender and whether the wage gap can fairly be said to exist. However, men and women, as well as people of different races, all have much different pay.
Following the dips in growth that marked the recession, the economy slowly and steadily rebounded. Many, including Trump, have said observed rates of growth are far too low.
Hate crime incidents in the US neared 6,000 in both 2013 and 2015.
The Obama administration created 11.3 million jobs in eight years, and the economy added jobs for 75 straight months, a record that totals 6 years.
More jobs were created under Obama than under George W. Bush, who only created 2.1 million jobs. However, Obama fell short of Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, who saw 22.9 million and 15.9 million jobs created, respectively, under their presidencies.
The countries he hosted include:
When he was elected in 2008, 28,223,000 people were receiving food stamps.
In 2016, 44,219,000 people received food stamps -- an increase of nearly 16 million people.
Although Obama has vastly reduced the number of troops in Afghanistan during his time in office, he has failed to withdraw all American troops from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
As of December 2016, there were still 9,800 troops left.
As of January 2017, 45 prisoners remain and 171 have been released under Obama.
Nine of the 171 have been "confirmed" to have returned to terrorist activities, according to a government report.
Obama had pledged to close the controversial center within one year in an executive order he signed shortly after his inauguration in January 2009.
Obama hit the links 333 times since assuming the presidency, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller, the unofficial White House statistician who pledged to track each and every round played by the commander in chief.
While his critics have said this is too many rounds to play, his figure doesn't come close to the amount played by Woodrow Wilson, who is said to have played 1,200 rounds while President.
In 2015, the median was $56,516, which was a 5.2% increase from 2014. This was also the first increase in median income since 2007, before the economic crash.
In December 2016, the index was a high 113.7 -- a stark difference to when fell as low as 25 during the recession, when Obama took office.
The poverty rate in the United States in 2015 was 13.5%. This is down 1.2 percentage points from 14.8% in 2014. In 2015, there were 43.1 million people in poverty, 3.5 million fewer than in 2014.
The birth rate fell to 59.8 births per 1,000 women in 2016 under Obama.
The price of milk decreased under Obama from $3.58/gallon when he took office in January 2009 to $3.28/gallon as of November 2016.
CNN's Kevin Liptak, a White House reporter, has kept a running tally of Obama's acts of clemency -- the president's decisions to pardon or commute criminal sentences.
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44 ways to judge the Obama era - CNN International
- Jesse Jackson: How he paved way for Barack Obama - and helped change US - BBC - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama Took On Recession, Health Care and Iraq. What He Didnt See Coming Was Trump. - The New York Times - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama, Trump and Biden lead tributes to Jesse Jackson: one of Americas greatest patriots - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Democrats struggles could be partly because theyre just too old, says Obama - Politico - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Complete Obama Presidency Oral History Archive Is Now Available - Columbia University in the City of New York - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Jesse Jackson was the living bridge between King and Obama - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama clarifies views on aliens after saying 'they're real' on podcast - BBC - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast theyre real - CNN - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Did Obama deport more people at the start of his second term than Trump did during his? - MinnPost - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Barack Obama clarifies he's seen 'no evidence' of aliens after saying they're real - NBC News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama said aliens exist on a podcast then posted to clarify - CNN - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Aliens are real, Obama says, as Washington shrugs - The Washington Post - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Why did Obama say aliens are real? | The Latest - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- How a struggling Democratic party can win the midterms, according to Obama - MassLive.com - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Atlanta Black-owned toy store to be featured in Obama Presidential Center - CBS News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Trump praises the late Rev. Jackson as good man, claims he disliked Obama - New York Daily News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- JD Vance Takes Cheap Shot at Obama After Death of Civil Rights Icon - The Daily Beast - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Symone: There would be no Barack Obama without Jesse Jackson - MS NOW - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Barack Obama pays tribute to Jesse Jackson: He laid the foundation - TheGrio - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- From the archives: Jesse Jackson reacts to Barack Obama's election win in 2008 - CBS News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- A 'clown' who wouldn't go away: Inside Obama's teams blind spot on Trump - The Killeen Daily Herald - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Obama shuts down alien buzz and says theres no evidence theyve made contact - AP News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Sasha Obama Makes Rare Appearance With Parents Barack, Michelle Obama at NBA All-Star Game - E! News - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Despite Trump's claim Jesse Jackson 'could not stand' Obama, here's what he said about Trump before his death - TheGrio - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Conspiracy Theorists Think Obama Is Sending Secret Messages With Talk About Aliens - Gizmodo - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Trump pays powerful tribute to force of nature Rev. Jesse Jackson, takes swipe at Obama - New York Post - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- The Obama Meme on Trumps Truth Social Was Exactly What It Looked Like - The Atlantic - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Trump ends Obama-era restrictions on commercial fishing in protected area off New England - PBS - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- GOP breaks with Trump White House on Obama post as Tim Scott opens the floodgates - The Hill - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- To his bones a racist: Hayes says Trump taking the mask off with Obama video - MS NOW - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Trump shared Obama ape video. Here's the dark history behind the imagery. - USA Today - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Trump breaks record for deportations of migrants without criminal backgrounds, but still hasnt surpassed Obama and Bidens total removals - EL PAS... - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Barack Obama & Michelle Obama may be taking the high road as usual, but Trump can't seem to say the word "sorry" after posting a vile... - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Vile: Racist Obama video posted by the White House removed after bipartisan backlash - MassLive.com - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- White House Initially Downplayed Trump's Racist Obama Post Before Deleting It and Blaming Staffer - People.com - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- Trump Is Still Posting About Arresting Obama and Prosecuting Election Workers - Mother Jones - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Trump, Iran, and the Ghosts of Bush and Obama - The Dispatch - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- From Bill Gates to Elon Musk and ex-Obama Official: What the New Epstein Files Reveal - TheWire.in - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Clinton and Obama urge Americans to 'speak out' and take action after Minneapolis shootings - NBC News - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Barack Obama warns Trump's ICE operations are a threat to all Americans: 'Get off the sidelines' - TheGrio - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Obama: Whats Happening In Minnesota Threatens All Americans - BIN: Black Information Network - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Team Up With Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky To Announce Scholarship Program For Aspiring Leaders - AfroTech - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Quote of the day by Barack Obama: We don't ask you to believe in our ability to bring change, rather - The Economic Times - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Michelle Obama, 62, Inspired Me, 27, to Shop the Retro Denim Trend That Kelly Clarkson, 43, Just Wore - People.com - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- From Obama award to Minnesota op: Why Trump tapped Tom Homan for on-the-ground crackdown - Fox News - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Crump and Obama are the Top Black News Makers of the 21st Century - The Sacramento Observer - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- The Breakfast Routine Barack Obama Maintained During His Run For The White House - Mashed - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- 2010 Obama clip goes viral where he defends deportations, even of those just trying to earn a living - Fox News - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Was Tom Homan Obama's 'ICE chief' who received award for deportations? We inspected - Snopes - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Michelle Obama explains why she thinks the U.S. isn't ready for a female president - nbcwashington.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama gives 3-word response on if her husband would seek 3rd term - masslive.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama, who called herself "Mom-in-Chief," now says she doesn't recommend women leave careers for children - Yahoo - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Reacts to Criticism of Her Appearance During Time as First Lady - E! News - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Tearful Regina King Thanks Sasha and Malia Obama for Their Friendship With Her Late Son Ian - E! News - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Rewind: Obama roasts Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner. - Brut - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Regina King Reflects on Son Ian's Friendship With Michelle Obama's Daughters Malia and Sasha Before His Death - instyle.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama says friendships are as important as the degree that you got in college, your job title, and your salary - Fortune - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Id Actively Work Against That: Michelle Obama Shuts Down Third Obama Term Talk - bet.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- OOPS! Megyn Kelly And Guests May Be Telling On Themselves In Angry Michelle Obama Rant - HuffPost - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Just Revealed the Sad Truth About How the Media Actually Viewed Her in the White House - The Root - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Moments When Donald Trump Was Jealous of Barack Obama - Inquisitr News - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Would Actively Work Against Husband Barack Becoming President Again - Globe Magazine - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Actor Craig Robinson Says a Past Girlfriend Thought He Was Michelle Obama's Married Brother - People.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama clarifies woman President comments on Call Her Daddy Podcast | RISING - The Hill - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama pressed on whether Barack would run for White House a third time if Trump changed the law - Yahoo - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama and Gretchen Whitmer Disagree on Americas Readiness for a Female President - The New York Times - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama issues brutal verdict on whether Barack should run for president again - The Independent - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama explains her comments that the US wasnt ready for a female president - CNN - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Barack Obama, Where the F--k Are You? - The Daily Beast - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Former first lady Michelle Obama said on a popular podcast that she would actively work against her husband, Barack, running for a hypothetical third... - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama pans possibility of third term for presidents: 8 years is enough - The Hill - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Says She Would 'Actively Work Against' Another Barack Presidency if Term Limits Were Changed - People.com - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Slams Critics for Putting Women in Their Place by Attacking Their Physical Being - Yahoo - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Celebrates 62nd Birthday in a Vest Held Together by a Safety Pin for Surprise 'Call Her Daddy' Appearance - instyle.com - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- New court doc asserts former Obama WH counsel advised Jeffrey Epstein during critical reputational and legal battles - CNN - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Sits Down With Call Her Daddy to Talk Fashion, Scrutiny, and Looking Beyond Appearance - Harper's BAZAAR - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama would 'actively work against' a hypothetical third term from Barack, she says - New York Post - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama is asked if Barack would run again if Trump changed the law - The Independent - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Reveals What She'd Want Her Husband To Do If Trump Ran For A Third Term - HuffPost - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Admits That She Used to Want Husband Barack to "Be Different" - instyle.com - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]