Survey Report

Summary and analysis of Pew Research Center poll data

Highly religious Americans are happier, more involved with family and more likely to volunteer than the less religious. But they are no more likely to exercise, recycle or make socially conscious consumer choices.

Most Americans think that local libraries serve the educational needs of their communities and families well. But many do not know about key education services libraries provide.

Although Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, more Americans say they favor (46%) than oppose (30%) Garland’s confirmation to the high court. About a quarter (24%) offer no opinion.

History’s most influential religious leaders – among them Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Siddhartha Gautama – are usually male. Yet women today are generally more religious than men, particularly among Christians.

A large majority of Americans seek extra knowledge for personal and work-related reasons. Digital technology plays a notable role in these knowledge pursuits, but place-based learning remains vital to many.

Presidential candidates were mentioned in over 350,000 comments in May, June and September 2015, with a high level of early interest in Bernie Sanders

As the standoff between the Department of Justice and Apple Inc. continues over an iPhone used by one of the suspects in the San Bernardino terrorist attacks, 51% say Apple should unlock the iPhone to assist the ongoing FBI investigation.

While people in advanced economies are still more likely to own a smartphone and use the internet, those in the emerging world are closing these digital divides.

After rising steadily for nearly a century, the share of older Americans who live alone has fallen since 1990, largely because women ages 65 to 84 are increasingly likely to live with their spouse or their children.