What Can Improve Democracy?
Amid growing discontent with the state of democracy globally, we asked over 30,000 people what changes would make their democracy work better.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Read our research on:
Multiple Regions / Worldwide
-
-
Key findings about religious restrictions around the world in 2021
The most common kinds of government restrictions on religion in 2021 included harassment of religious groups and interference in worship.
-
Globally, Government Restrictions on Religion Reached Peak Levels in 2021, While Social Hostilities Went Down
In 2021, government restrictions on religion – laws, policies and actions by state officials that limit religious beliefs and practices – reached a new peak globally. Harassment of religious groups and interference in worship were two of the most common forms of government restrictions worldwide that year.
-
Who likes authoritarianism, and how do they want to change their government?
The share of the public that supports authoritarian systems ranges from 85% in India to 8% in Sweden.
-
Representative Democracy Remains a Popular Ideal, but People Around the World Are Critical of How It’s Working
A 24-country survey finds a median of 59% are dissatisfied with how their democracy is functioning, and 74% think elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
-
Majorities in most countries surveyed say social media is good for democracy
Across 27 countries surveyed, people generally see social media as more of a good thing than a bad thing for democracy.
-
Most East Asian adults say men and women should share financial and caregiving duties
Around eight-in-ten adults in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam say both men and women should be primarily responsible for earning money.
-
How Americans view the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and China and Taiwan
74% of Americans view the war between Russia and Ukraine as important to U.S. national interests – with 43% describing it as very important.
-
8 charts on technology use around the world
In most countries surveyed, around nine-in-ten or more adults are online. In South Korea, 99% of adults use the internet.
-
Language and Traditions Are Considered Central to National Identity
Across more than 20 countries surveyed, a median of 91% say being able to speak their country’s most common language is important for being considered a true national. And 81% say sharing their country’s customs and traditions is important for true belonging.
