Half of Americans deem religion to be very important in their lives; less than a quarter of people in Spain, Germany, Britain and France share this view.

While men lost twice as many jobs as women during the recession, they have gained four times as many jobs as women during the recovery.

Among readers of both printed books and e-books, the top reason cited for choosing a digital book is the ability to get it quickly. More than eight-in-ten (83%) people expressed this view.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans say the United States does not have a responsibility to do something about the conflict in Syria.

Just over half (52%) of women identify with the Democratic Party or lean Democratic, continuing a longstanding gender gap; in comparison, 43% of men identify with the Democrats.

The National Archives released individual-level records from the 1940 Census for the first time on April 2. The waiting period is mandated by a federal law that protects the data for 72 years after the head count is completed.

Nearly six-in-ten (58%) Americans believe it is more important to have the freedom to pursue life’s goals without state interference than it is for the state to guarantee that no one is in need. Western European publics disagree.