People in wealthier countries are more likely to say social media harms democracy
% who say social media has been more of a bad thing for democracy in their country
Note: 2025 GDP per capita data is from the World Bank (accessed Aug. 26, 2026) and expressed in current USD. The West Bank and East Jerusalem are not shown because corresponding World Bank Data includes Gaza, where we were unable to survey.
Source: Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey.
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
People in wealthier countries are more likely to say social media harms democracy
% who say social media has been more of a bad thing for democracy in their country
| Hidden GDP per capita | Country | More of a bad thing for democracy | % | GDP per capita | Grouping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90027 | U.S. | 64 | 64 | $90,026.52 | North America |
| 55698 | Canada | 55 | 55 | $55,697.66 | North America |
| 48986 | France | 65 | 65 | $48,985.73 | Europe |
| 60496 | Germany | 61 | 61 | $60,496.44 | Europe |
| 26948 | Greece | 43 | 43 | $26,948.01 | Europe |
| 25907 | Hungary | 42 | 42 | $25,907.47 | Europe |
| 43309 | Italy | 44 | 44 | $43,308.64 | Europe |
| 73684 | Netherlands | 70 | 70 | $73,683.92 | Europe |
| 28420 | Poland | 35 | 35 | $28,419.58 | Europe |
| 38627 | Spain | 47 | 47 | $38,627.25 | Europe |
| 63133 | Sweden | 47 | 47 | $63,133.21 | Europe |
| 57602 | U.K. | 56 | 56 | $57,601.96 | Europe |
| 65130 | Australia | 52 | 52 | $65,129.72 | Asia-Pacific |
| 2597 | Bangladesh | 28 | 28 | $2,597.34 | Asia-Pacific |
| 2702 | India | 23 | 23 | $2,702.48 | Asia-Pacific |
| 5060 | Indonesia | 43 | 43 | $5,059.63 | Asia-Pacific |
| 35951 | Japan | 43 | 43 | $35,951.04 | Asia-Pacific |
| 13125 | Malaysia | 27 | 27 | $13,124.56 | Asia-Pacific |
| 1596 | Pakistan | 33 | 33 | $1,595.91 | Asia-Pacific |
| 4171 | Philippines | 23 | 23 | $4,170.72 | Asia-Pacific |
| 98814 | Singapore | 22 | 22 | $98,813.98 | Asia-Pacific |
| 36227 | South Korea | 38 | 38 | $36,226.97 | Asia-Pacific |
| 5002 | Sri Lanka | 35 | 35 | $5,002.08 | Asia-Pacific |
| 8057 | Thailand | 21 | 21 | $8,056.56 | Asia-Pacific |
| 60337 | Israel | 22 | 22 | $60,336.85 | Middle East |
| 18599 | Turkey | 35 | 35 | $18,599.44 | Middle East |
| 3257 | Ghana | 21 | 21 | $3,257.16 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 2363 | Kenya | 24 | 24 | $2,362.86 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 1224 | Nigeria | 11 | 11 | $1,224.25 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 6598 | South Africa | 28 | 28 | $6,597.71 | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 14898 | Argentina | 35 | 35 | $14,898.09 | Latin America |
| 10713 | Brazil | 29 | 29 | $10,713.29 | Latin America |
| 17995 | Chile | 43 | 43 | $17,994.59 | Latin America |
| 8562 | Colombia | 33 | 33 | $8,561.62 | Latin America |
| 13889 | Mexico | 26 | 26 | $13,889.23 | Latin America |
| 9684 | Peru | 34 | 34 | $9,684.41 | Latin America |
Note: 2025 GDP per capita data is from the World Bank (accessed Aug. 26, 2026) and expressed in current USD. The West Bank and East Jerusalem are not shown because corresponding World Bank Data includes Gaza, where we were unable to survey.
Source: Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey.
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
