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U.S. government shutdowns happen when Congress does not pass, and the president does not sign, the appropriations legislation (or a continuing resolution) needed to fund certain federal agencies and programs. When that happens, some parts of the federal government continue operating, while other activities are reduced or paused until funding is restored.
Shutdowns can affect federal employees, contractors, public services, travel, permitting, inspections, and the broader economy. The size of the impact depends on how long the shutdown lasts and which agencies are affected.
This reference guide highlights verified U.S. government shutdown statistics and historical facts, with a focus on widely cited federal and major-news-source figures.
US Government Shutdown Quick Answer
What is a U.S. government shutdown?
A U.S. government shutdown is a lapse in federal funding caused by a failure to enact appropriations for some or all federal agencies. During a shutdown, “excepted” functions continue, while many other activities pause or are scaled back until funding resumes.
Key US Government Shutdown Facts (At a Glance)
- Latest major partial shutdown (historical benchmark): Began December 22, 2018 and ended January 25, 2019 (35 days), the longest U.S. federal government shutdown on record.
- Federal workers affected during the 2018-2019 shutdown: Approximately 800,000.
- Workers required to work without pay during the shutdown: About 420,000 (excepted employees).
- Workers furloughed during the shutdown: About 380,000.
- CBO estimate of total economic output reduction from the 2018-2019 partial shutdown: $11 billion, with roughly $3 billion estimated as permanently lost output.
US Government Shutdown Statistics and Historical Facts
First day of the 2018-2019 government shutdown:
December 22, 2018
Length of the 2018-2019 shutdown (the longest on record):
35 days (December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019)
Longest U.S. government shutdown prior to 2019:
21 days (December 16, 1995 to January 6, 1996)
Amount President Donald Trump requested for a southern border wall during the 2018-2019 shutdown standoff:
$5.7 billion
Additional U.S.-Mexico border wall mileage discussed in 2018-2019 funding negotiations:
234 miles
Total number of federal workers either furloughed or working without pay during the 2018-2019 shutdown:
Approximately 800,000
Number of federal workers required to work without pay during the shutdown (excepted workers):
Approximately 420,000
Number of furloughed federal employees during the shutdown:
Approximately 380,000
Estimated number of federal contractors impacted during the 2018-2019 shutdown (reported estimate):
About 1.2 million
Estimated daily lost revenue for federal contractors during the shutdown (reported estimate):
$200 million per day
Estimated weekly economic damage to the U.S. economy during the shutdown (reported estimate at the time):
About $1 billion per week
Estimated monthly cost to New York City during the shutdown (reported estimate):
$500 million
Estimated unpaid mortgage obligations owed by affected federal workers during January 2019 (reported estimate):
More than $400 million
Key 2018-2019 Shutdown Numbers Table
| Metric | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shutdown start date | December 22, 2018 | Partial federal shutdown |
| Shutdown end date | January 25, 2019 | Funding lapse ended after 35 days |
| Total duration | 35 days | Longest on record |
| Total federal workers affected | ~800,000 | Furloughed + excepted |
| Working without pay (excepted) | ~420,000 | Continued duties during shutdown |
| Furloughed workers | ~380,000 | Placed in non-pay status |
| CBO estimated reduction in economic output | $11 billion | Total estimated reduction |
| CBO estimated permanently lost output | $3 billion | Not fully recovered |
How US Government Shutdowns Work
What causes a shutdown?
A shutdown happens when appropriations lapse. If Congress and the president do not enact funding in time, agencies without available appropriations must follow shutdown contingency plans.
Do all government services stop?
No. Some federal activities continue, especially those involving national security, public safety, and other functions designated as excepted under federal law and guidance. Other services may slow down, close, or pause depending on agency funding and operations.
Are federal workers always paid during a shutdown?
Shutdowns can delay paychecks for affected employees during the funding lapse. Under current law, federal employees furloughed during a lapse in appropriations are generally entitled to back pay after funding is restored.
Historical Context and Why Shutdowns Matter
Government shutdowns are not all the same. Some are brief and have limited real-world disruption, while others create broad operational and economic effects. The 2018-2019 partial shutdown stands out because of its duration and the number of workers and contractors affected.
Beyond direct employee impacts, shutdowns can also affect airport operations, federal permitting timelines, inspections, court activity, research, tourism tied to federal sites, and private businesses that depend on federal contracts or federal customer traffic.
FAQ: US Government Shutdown Statistics
What was the longest U.S. government shutdown?
The longest U.S. federal government shutdown was the partial shutdown from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, lasting 35 days.
How many federal workers were affected by the 2018-2019 shutdown?
Approximately 800,000 federal workers were affected, including both furloughed workers and excepted employees who continued working without pay during the shutdown.
How many workers were furloughed in the 2018-2019 shutdown?
Approximately 380,000 federal employees were furloughed.
How many workers worked without pay during the shutdown?
Approximately 420,000 federal employees were required to continue working as excepted employees during the funding lapse.
How much did the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy?
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the shutdown reduced economic output by $11 billion, with about $3 billion of that amount estimated to be permanently lost.
Sources and References
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – The Effects of the Partial Shutdown Ending in January 2019
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – Furlough Guidance / Shutdown Resources
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) – 2018-2019 Partial Government Shutdown (Selected Agency Impacts)
- Reuters coverage and fact reporting on U.S. government shutdown dates and duration
- CNBC reporting on federal worker counts affected during the 2018-2019 shutdown
- Bloomberg reporting on contractor impacts during the shutdown
- Politico reporting on estimated weekly economic effects during the shutdown
- Crain’s New York reporting on estimated local economic impact
- MarketWatch reporting on mortgage payment pressure for affected federal workers
