Nate Silver posted some eye-opening polling data right before the July 4th holiday. The takeaway? American patriotism has declined sharply and now sits below the global average. As the fireworks fade and we move into the week after Independence Day, the numbers deserve a closer look — especially with the country’s 250th anniversary on the horizon.
The Global Picture
The United States used to stand out for its strong national pride. In the 1980s, about 95% of Americans described themselves as “very” or “quite” proud of their nationality — significantly higher than most other regions.By 2022, that figure had dropped to 78%. Many parts of the world maintained higher levels: Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East generally stayed in the 85–90% range. In a ranking of large and OECD countries, the U.S. now ranks around 34th out of 45.
The first chart shared by Silver shows the U.S. line trending steadily downward while other regions held steady or improved.
Obviously, some of this is partisan, with the Democratic numbers having fallen far more. Though independents are actually closer to Democrats on this issue than the GOP. pic.twitter.com/lV9bjtidDc
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 3, 2026
h/t Newsalert
The Deeply Partisan Breakdown
A second chart reveals how uneven the decline has been. It tracks the share of Americans saying they are “extremely proud” to be American across presidential terms:- Overall U.S.: Down from the mid-60s% during the Bush years to 37% in the most recent period.
- Democrats: High 50s to low 60s% in the Bush era, mid-to-high 40s% under Obama, then down to 30% during Trump’s first term and as low as 17% recently.
- Republicans: Consistently higher — usually 69–79%, with a dip to 60% under Biden before rebounding.
- Independents: Followed a downward path, now around 30% and closer to Democrats than Republicans.
Silver acknowledges the partisan element, but the asymmetry stands out. Notably, Democratic numbers were already lower even during Democratic presidencies, and a related poll found far more Democrats expressing “conditional” patriotism (tied to who holds power) than Republicans.
Why These Trends Matter Now
Post-July 4th, the data prompts a simple question: How do we maintain a healthy, unifying sense of national pride while still addressing real problems? Patriotism has never meant pretending America is perfect. It has historically meant appreciating the enduring ideals, the progress made over generations, and the opportunities that continue to draw people here.When pride becomes heavily conditional on partisan outcomes or cultural narratives that emphasize flaws over achievements, it erodes the common ground a diverse country needs. Other nations manage high levels of national pride alongside debate and reform. The polling suggests we’ve lost some of that balance.
Looking Ahead
These shifts didn’t happen overnight — they reflect longer changes in education, media, institutions, and public conversation about American identity and history. With the 250th anniversary approaching, the data is a reminder that rebuilding shared pride could be one of the more important challenges ahead.Further Reading
What do you think? Did the July 4th celebrations feel different this year in light of trends like these, or do you see paths to stronger national cohesion?
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