Washington D.C. – A new report from Pew Research Center, released today, details a widening partisan gap in what Americans identify as sources of national pride. While 60% of U.S. Adults say they are proud of the country, the reasons behind that sentiment diverge sharply along political lines, a pattern not consistently observed in the 25 countries surveyed, according to the Pew Research Center study.
The findings, published February 17, 2026, reveal that Republicans are significantly more likely to cite the military and the economic system as points of national pride, while Democrats emphasize the country’s diversity and its contributions to science and technology. This divergence contrasts with many other nations, where sources of pride tend to be more broadly shared across the political spectrum. The study builds on decades of public opinion research conducted by Pew, which was established in 1948 and operates as a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder (Pew Research Center).
The increasing polarization in national pride mirrors a broader trend of political division within the United States, extending to views on democratic institutions. A separate Pew Research Center report, released earlier this month, found widespread dissatisfaction with the state of American democracy as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The report indicated that a majority of Americans hold critical views of both leaders and institutions, a sentiment more pronounced than in many other countries (Pew Charitable Trusts).
Pew Research Center’s operate extends beyond political attitudes, encompassing research on a wide range of social and demographic trends. Recent studies have examined religious diversity globally, finding Singapore to be the most religiously diverse country and the U.S. Ranking highly among nations with large populations (Pew Research Center). The Center also analyzes public opinion on key figures, revealing that 58% of Americans currently hold an unfavorable view of former President Donald Trump (Pew Research Center).
The research on national pride also comes as global attention focuses on the number of public holidays observed around the world. A Pew Research Center analysis released February 12, 2026, found that the typical country observes 13 public holidays in 2026 (Pew Research Center). The study did not correlate holiday numbers with levels of national pride, but it provides a comparative context for understanding how different nations mark and celebrate their identities.
The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank, emphasizes its commitment to data-driven research and avoiding policy positions (Roper Center for Public Opinion Research). However, the findings on national pride raise questions about the potential for further fragmentation within American society, as differing values and priorities continue to shape perceptions of the nation’s identity and future.
