Fewer adults are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ proud to be an American, poll shows

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A new survey reveals a decline in the number of Americans who said they are proud of their country, reflecting shifts in national sentiment over the past 25 years that may be influenced by political and generational factors.

The poll, which was conducted earlier this month by Gallup, surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults. To note, the poll was conducted prior to the June 21 U.S. military action in Iran.

Record low of US adults are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ proud to be an American

By the numbers:

According to the survey, a record-low (58%) of U.S. adults said they were "extremely" (41%) or "very" (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020. 

The 41% who were "extremely proud" was not statistically different from prior lows of 38% in 2022 and 39% in 2023, indicating most of the change this year was attributable to a decline in the percentage who were "very proud."

In addition, 19% said they were "moderately" proud, 11% were "only a little" proud and 9% were "not at all" proud. The combined 20% on the lower end of the pride scale essentially ties the record 21% measured in 2020. Until 2018, less than 10% of U.S. adults had consistently said they had little or no national pride.

Pride tumbles among Democrats; Independents also at a new low

Dig deeper:

The data showed that Democrats were mostly responsible for the drop in U.S. pride this year, with 36% saying they were extremely or very proud, down from 62% a year ago. This is only the second time Democrats’ pride fell below the majority level, along with a 42% reading in 2020, the last year of the first Trump administration. 

American flags are seen waving during a Naturalization Ceremony at Liberty State Park on September 17, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Political independents’ pride also reached a low point, with 53% expressing a great deal of pride, down seven points from last year, which had been the previous low for this group.

LAST YEAR: Americans with extreme national pride stays near record low, Gallup poll finds

Republicans' level of national pride has been much steadier, typically registering above 90%, including 92% this year, up from 85% in 2024. 

In addition, there were clear generational differences in American pride, with each new generation significantly less likely than the previous one to say they were extremely or very proud to be an American.

The youngest two generations, millennials and Generation Z, were the most distinct. From 2021 to 2025, less than half (41%) of adults who belong to Generation Z have been extremely or very proud to be Americans, compared with 58% of millennials. 

In 2001, 90% of Americans said they were extremely or very proud

The backstory:

 In January 2001, when Gallup first asked Americans how proud they were, 87% said they were extremely or very proud. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the figure increased to 90%, and it held at that level or higher between 2002 and 2004.

The percentage who were extremely or very proud dropped to 83% in 2005, but it did not vary significantly from that mark for the next 11 years. In 2017, a new low of 75% said they were proud, and national pride has deteriorated further since then.