Decline in American Pride Among Democrats, Particularly Gen Z
According to a recent Gallup study, American pride has dropped, particularly among Democrats, with many feeling less proud of their nationality. The findings indicate that only about a third of Democrats express strong pride in being American, making it one of the lowest figures recorded.
In contrast, a majority of respondents—58%—reported being either very or extremely proud of their American identity. This is a significant decline from 67% last year and well below the peak in 2002, when nearly 91% of Americans felt proud, particularly in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
Among the responses, 19% of individuals considered themselves somewhat proud, while 11% admitted to being only a little proud, and 9% expressed no pride at all.
A stark division appears along party lines. Only 36% of Democrats now claim to be extremely proud Americans, a steep fall from the 62% who felt this way last year. Back in 2002, an overwhelming 92% of Democrats identified as either very or extremely proud.
Independents have also shown a drop in pride, with 53% indicating they feel very proud, down from 60% last year. Historically, 86% of independents reported feeling strong pride in 2004.
In contrast, pride among Republicans is on the rise, with 92% expressing strong pride in being American. This is slightly below their all-time high of 99% in 2003.
Notably, pride among GOP members surged during Donald Trump’s first term, hitting 95% in 2019, though it declined during the pandemic but has rebounded under Joe Biden.
The study also reveals generational differences in American pride. Generation Z appears to be the least proud, with just 41% stating they feel very proud to be American, compared to 58% of millennials. This percentage rises significantly in older generations: 71% of Generation X, 75% of Baby Boomers, and 83% of the Silent Generation express strong pride.
Despite the evident variations, pride has generally decreased across all generations since the early 2000s, with notable shifts occurring from 2016 onward.
The survey, conducted from June 2 to 19, precedes the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, which will mark the beginning of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The White House has initiated plans for a yearlong celebration in honor of this significant milestone. “On July 4, 2026, America celebrates the most important milestone in our country’s history. This is 250 years of American independence,” a statement from Trump noted. “With one piece of parchment and 56 signatures, America began its biggest political journey in human history.”
