Database: Key Global Indicators Database
This interactive database allows users to explore public opinion trends in 55 countries on topics ranging from attitudes toward the U.S. to views about globalization, democratization, extremism and other important issues. Search by question, topic or country.
Unusually Wide Gap in ‘Satisfaction,’ ‘Right Direction’ Measures
Americans’ perception about the state and direction of the nation usually go hand-in-hand. However, big events, like last fall’s election, can split these two indicators of the public’s national outlook.
Who Expects To Gain — And Lose — Under Obama
More Americans say that people like themselves will gain influence under the Obama administration than was the case for the last two incoming presidents. Many who did not vote for Obama say this as well — including pluralities of all whites and white evangelical Christians.
Ask Not…
Since John F. Kennedy’s famous inaugural address, the word “sacrifice” has become a rarity in the lexicon of politicians — and of pollsters too
States of the Union Before and After Bush
What a difference eight years can make — or not. As shown in a series of tables, some things have changed a great deal since George W. Bush was elected president in 2000, but other things, most notably certain American beliefs and attitudes, have remained remarkably constant.
Global Public Opinion in the Bush Years (2001-2008)
President-elect Obama has indicated that he will focus on international cooperation in addressing global problems, but he will have to navigate a world that has grown highly critical of the United States.
A New Leader for a Chronically Gloomy Japan
Even if international financial markets were thriving, it is likely that the selection of Taro Aso as the new leader of Japan’s ruling party would still have played out against a backdrop of national apprehensiveness and pessimism.
Hispanics See Their Situation in U.S. Deteriorating
Increasingly widespread pessimism among Hispanics, as well as their strong opposition to federal enforcement policies, could well have consequences in the political arena.
The Chinese Celebrate Their Roaring Economy As They Struggle With Its Costs
As they eagerly await the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese people express extraordinary levels of satisfaction with the way things are going in their country and with their nation’s economy. With more than eight-in-ten having a positive view of both, China ranks number one among 24 countries on both measures in the 2008 survey by the [...]
Where Trust is High, Crime and Corruption are Low
A Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that social trust varies greatly among countries, but high levels are generally linked to positive social outcomes.
