Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Beginning with the Arab Spring, high-profile protest movements erupted in several emerging and developing countries over the last few years. Millions have demonstrated, and activists have pioneered new forms of online engagement, but who really participates, and how?
In recent years, high-profile protest movements have erupted in several emerging and developing countries, roiling, and sometimes overturning, the political status quo in Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Ukraine, Brazil, Thailand and other nations. Millions have demonstrated, and activists have pioneered new forms of online engagement.
Pope Francis, leader of the world’s nearly 1.1 billion Catholics, enjoys broad support across much of the world: a median of 60% across 43 nations have a favorable view of him. Only 11% see the pope unfavorably, and 28% give no rating.
Across 34 emerging and developing economies, a median of 76% say corrupt political leaders are a very big problem in their country. Yet, not many people in these nations say giving bribes is essential for getting ahead in life.
Older Americans say Medicare is working well, but they report more problems paying for health care than seniors in 10 other advanced economies, according to a survey published in the journal Health Affairs.
If the Indian public’s sense of its own well-being and that of the nation does not improve in both absolute and relative terms, the Modi government may eventually be called to account.
President Barack Obama will travel to India in January to participate in the Indian Republic Day celebration in New Delhi as the chief guest. While there he is expected to talk trade and anti-terrorism with his host Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The world’s third largest economy faces long-term challenges, including pessimistic forecasts from the Japanese public, the hollowing out of Japan’s working-age population and the nation’s exorbitant public debt.
