Key facts about recent trends in global migration
The number of international migrants grew to 281 million in 2020; 3.6% of the world’s people lived outside their country of birth that year.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The number of international migrants grew to 281 million in 2020; 3.6% of the world’s people lived outside their country of birth that year.
In nearly all of the 44 advanced economies we analyzed, consumer prices have risen substantially since pre-pandemic times.
A median of 45% across 34 surveyed countries say it is necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values. However, public opinion on this question, as well as the role of God, prayer and religion varies by country, region and economic development.
Social hostilities involving religion, including violence and harassment against religious groups by private individuals and groups, declined in 2019, according to Pew Research Center’s 12th annual study of global restrictions on religion, which examines 198 countries and territories.
Majorities say the democratic principles tested on our survey are at least somewhat important. But often, underwhelming percentages describe democratic rights and institutions as very important.
The global Muslim population is more concentrated in Islam’s main population centers than the global Christian population is for Christianity.
As the number of international migrants reaches new highs, people around the world show little appetite for more migration – both into and out of their countries.
Across 37 countries surveyed in the spring of 2017, a median of 48% say they closely follow news about the U.S., compared with 50% who do not. Interest in news about the U.S. is highest in Canada, where 78% say they track it closely. Next highest is the Netherlands (75%), followed by some of America’s closest allies: Japan, Germany and Australia. Across 10 European nations, a median of 51% say they follow news about America closely.
People around the world identify ISIS and climate change as leading international threats. Many also name cyberattacks from other countries and the condition of the global economy as major challenges.
Worldwide, an estimated $582 billion was sent by migrants to relatives in their home countries in 2015, a 2% decline from 2014.
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