At the Breaking Point: The State of the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025

In This Section

America’s Diplomatic Corps in Crisis

Major Findings

  • 86% say changes in the workplace since January have affected their ability to advance U.S. diplomatic priorities.
  • 98% report poor morale.
  • Nearly 1 in 3 are considering leaving the Service.

America’s global leadership depends on a strong, professional diplomatic workforce. But in 2025, the U.S. Foreign Service faces an unprecedented crisis. Personnel losses, political interference, and the erosion of America’s soft power have pushed the diplomatic corps to a breaking point—just as global threats intensify.

To document the realities and challenges facing career diplomats in this moment of profound institutional strain, the American Foreign Service Association conducted a survey of its active-duty membership between August and September 2025. More than 2,100 diplomats responded—from entry-level officers to senior leaders, serving in Washington and at posts worldwide.

With the federal government’s own workforce survey discontinued earlier this year, AFSA undertook this study to fill the gap and ensure the voices of America’s diplomats are heard.

Read the Report

We invite journalists, policymakers, AFSA members, and the public to explore our findings.
To read the report press release, please click here.

Download Full Report
Download Executive Summary
Download Survey Data
Download Congressional Brief

As this report makes clear, a year of relentless attacks by the administration against these dedicated public servants has left our diplomatic corps in crisis — a vulnerability that our adversaries are all too happy to exploit.
–Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), co-founder of the Senate Foreign Service Caucus

 

Having served near half my life in the Foreign Service, from Jamaica to Pakistan, I know that diplomacy requires a robust and cohesive presence on the ground. AFSA’s data confirms we’re asking our diplomats to do more with less precisely when robust engagement is needed most.
–Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former Director General of the Foreign Service and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

 

Our diplomats deserve the independence, respect, and resources necessary to serve with integrity — ensuring that America remains powerful, secure, and prosperous.
–Harry K. Thomas Jr., former Director General of the Foreign Service and three-time U.S. ambassador

 

I encourage those currently serving to maintain their high professional standards, to document and report abusive and illegal behavior, and to develop specific proposals for reforming and restoring the Foreign Service, including specific steps for implementing those proposals.
–Nancy Jo Powell, former Director General of the Foreign Service and U.S. ambassador to India

 

When the vast majority of diplomats say recent changes have hurt their ability to advance U.S. priorities, we have a profound problem. They are sounding the alarm that our global standing is at risk. We must listen.
–Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas)

 
 

For press inquiries, contact:

Nikki Gamer
Communications & Outreach Director
Gamer@afsa.org

About AFSA

The American Foreign Service Association, established in 1924, is both the professional association and exclusive representative for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s members include active-duty and alumni/retired members of the Foreign Service at the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.