US Political Conflict Index
US monthly political conflict index measuring disagreement among federal politicians since 1981.
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | 09-2025 | 08-2025 | 07-2025 | 06-2025 | 05-2025 | 04-2025 | 03-2025 | 02-2025 | 01-2025 | 12-2024 | 11-2024 | 10-2024 | 09-2024 | 08-2024 | 07-2024 | 06-2024 | 05-2024 | 04-2024 | 03-2024 | 02-2024 | 01-2024 | 12-2023 | 11-2023 | 10-2023 | 09-2023 | 08-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Conflict Index | 134 | 135 | 152 | 151 | 147 | 175 | 164 | 165 | 141 | 171 | 194 | 183 | 131 | 153 | 194 | 173 | 176 | 170 | 145 | 154 | 129 | 178 | 144 | 117 | 101 | 133 | 104 | 113 | 120 | 142 | 132 | 131 | 117 | 113 | 121 | 136 | 103 |
Latest reading
The latest reading is 134, for Aug 2026. That is −0.7% from Jul 2026 and +2.3% from a year earlier. The series on this page is monthly and runs from Jan 1981 to Aug 2026. Source: Richmond FED (Partisan Conflict Index).
- Latest
- 134
- Aug 2026
- vs previous period
- −0.7%
- Jul 2026
- vs a year earlier
- +2.3%
About this data
US monthly political conflict index measuring disagreement among federal politicians since 1981. Compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the series tracks newspaper coverage of policy disputes to gauge legislative gridlock. This index helps analysts assess how political friction impacts broader economic activity and business sentiment over time.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the US Political Conflict Index measure?
- The US Political Conflict Index measures the level of disagreement among United States federal politicians. It is compiled by tracking the frequency of newspaper articles discussing policy disputes.
- How often is the US Political Conflict Index published and how far back does it go?
- The US Political Conflict Index is published monthly by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Historical data for the series begins in January 1981.
- How does this index differ from economic policy uncertainty measures?
- While economic uncertainty measures focus on unknown future policies, the US Political Conflict Index specifically counts articles reporting that political parties are in direct opposition.
- What economic implications are associated with changes in the index?
- Research by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond shows that an increase in the US Political Conflict Index often coincides with a decline in business investment and hiring in subsequent quarters.
