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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Fact brief: Does 83% of the federal workforce continue working after a government shutdown?

Ismael M. Belkoura, Fort Worth Report
no

About 750,000 employees may be furloughed daily during the government shutdown, accounting for a third of the federal workforce. 

Government agencies might recall employees based on the duration of the shutdown. At least 900,000 federal employees, or 40% of the government workforce, will be furloughed during the shutdown, according to the National Federation of Federal Employees.

During a shutdown, federal employees are either furloughed or excepted — meaning they are required to work during the shutdown, often without pay.

The federal government consists of 2.25 million military personnel and 2.25 million civilian employees. Military personnel are considered excepted employees and must continue to work.

The last government shutdown lasted 35 days starting Dec. 22, 2018, and ending Jan. 25, 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

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