Government shutdowns in the U.S. have varied in length, but since 1976, there have been 20 shutdowns with an average duration of about 8 to 9 days. The longest government shutdown in recent history lasted 35 days during 2018-2019. Shutdowns in the 1980s were often short, sometimes just a day or a few days, while shutdowns have extended longer in recent decades, including notable ones lasting 17 days in 2013 and 21 days in 1995-1996. Typically, shutdowns last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the political negotiations involved. Key points on shutdown durations:
- Average shutdown length: 8 to 9 days.
- Longest shutdown: 35 days (2018-2019).
- Shutdowns over 10 days: occurred in 1977, 1978, 1995-1996, 2013, and the 2018-2019 instance.
- Many shutdowns last just a few days or less than a week.
This variation reflects the specific political circumstances and budget disputes at the time of each shutdown.
