Social Media Seen as Mostly Good for Democracy Across Many Nations, But U.S. is a Major Outlier
Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.
The U.S.-German Relationship Remains Strong
As daunting challenges from Russia, China and a flagging global economy ripple across the world, Americans and Germans continue to say that relations between their countries are good. Most Americans and Germans continue to see each other as partners on protecting European security, and publics in each country are willing to support using military action to protect themselves and their allies.
Methodology
Results presented in this data essay are drawn from nationally representative surveys conducted over the past 20 years in more than 60 countries.
How Global Public Opinion of China Has Shifted in the Xi Era
The Chinese Communist Party is preparing for its 20th National Congress, an event likely to result in an unprecedented third term for President Xi Jinping. Since Xi took office in 2013, opinion of China in the U.S. and other advanced economies has turned more negative. How did it get to be this way?
Climate Change Remains Top Global Threat Across 19-Country Survey
Despite the many depressing stories dominating the international news cycle, there is also a note of positivity among survey respondents in views of the UN, the benefits of international cooperation for solving problems and the importance of common values for bringing nations together.
Partisanship Colors Views of COVID-19 Handling Across Advanced Economies
A median of 68% across 19 countries think their country has done a good job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, with majorities saying this in every country surveyed except Japan. However, most also believe the pandemic has created greater divisions in their societies and exposed weaknesses in their political systems – and these view are especially common in the U.S.
International Attitudes Toward the U.S., NATO and Russia in a Time of Crisis
Most say U.S. is reliable partner, and ratings for Biden are mostly positive – although down significantly from last year.
Global Public Opinion in an Era of Democratic Anxiety
As democratic nations have wrestled with economic, social and geopolitical upheaval in recent years, the future of liberal democracy has come into question. Our international surveys reveal key insights into how citizens think about democratic governance.
U.S.-German Relations on the Mend as New Leadership Takes Hold
Germans and Americans have both become more skeptical of China.
Where people around the world find meaning in life
Nearly 19,000 adults in publics ranging from the UK, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the U.S., among others, share where they find meaning in their lives and what keeps them going.
What Makes Life Meaningful? Views From 17 Advanced Economies
Family is preeminent for most publics but work, material well-being and health also play a key role.
What People Around the World Like – and Dislike – About American Society and Politics
The U.S. is seen positively in advanced economies for its technology, entertainment, military and universities, but negatively for its health care system, discrimination and the state of its democracy.
Diversity and Division in Advanced Economies
Wide majorities in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed say having people of many different backgrounds improves their society, but most also see conflicts between partisan, racial and ethnic groups.
Germany and Merkel Receive High Marks Internationally in Chancellor’s Last Year in Office
Germany’s pandemic response and its role in the EU are also rated positively.
In Response to Climate Change, Citizens in Advanced Economies Are Willing To Alter How They Live and Work
Citizens offer mixed reviews of how their societies have responded to climate change, and many question the efficacy of international efforts to stave off a global environmental crisis.
Economic Attitudes Improve in Many Nations Even as Pandemic Endures
Despite an uptick in positive views of the economy in some places, many say that children will be worse off financially than their parents.
Large Majorities Say China Does Not Respect the Personal Freedoms of Its People
Unfavorable views of China also hover near historic highs in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed.
People in Advanced Economies Say Their Society Is More Divided Than Before Pandemic
Publics disagree about whether restrictions on public activity, such as stay-at-home orders or mandates to wear masks in public, have gone far enough to combat COVID-19.
Many in Western Europe and U.S. Want Economic Changes as Pandemic Continues
Most would welcome government-sponsored job training and other interventions.
Climate change seen by more countries as a top international threat
More countries see climate change as a top international threat, but many people also name ISIS and cyberattacks as their top security concern.
Europe’s Kids Are Moody and Depressed
The future belongs to the young. So how the next generation feels and thinks matters to people of all ages. As much as baby boomers may lament it, it is millennials — those coming of age in this new century — who will shape the world’s economic and geopolitical destiny for years to come.
