Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Short Reads

Short-form data and analysis from Pew Research Center writers and social scientists. To view all our reports and publications, visit our main Publications page.

Icon for promotion number 1

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings

Thank you for subscribing!

  • short reads

    The Importance of Being Christian

    Nearly four-in-ten Americans (39%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who is “Christian,” the second most positive trait tested, behind only “military service” (48%).

  • short reads

    States Suspending Executions

    That’s the number of states that have suspended executions because of questions over lethal injection, the primary method of execution in 37 of the 38 states that have retained the death penalty — only Nebraska still uses the electric chair.

  • short reads

    Improved Family Finances in 2007

    That’s the number of Americans who think their family finances will improve at least some (57%) or a lot (10%) over the coming year.

  • short reads

    Hispanic Employment

    That’s the number of Hispanic workers employed in the US labor market in 2006, a year where there was strong growth in Hispanic employment.

  • short reads

    Most Optimistic Homeowners

    That’s the portion of U.S. homeowners who expect the value of their home to go up “a lot” in the future. But another 55% still expect their home values to rise at least “a little.”

  • short reads

    Global Warming and Religious Belief

    That’s the percentage of Americans who believe there is solid evidence that the average temperature of the earth has been increasing over the past few decades. That number includes large majorities of every religious group: 77% of Catholics, 79% of white mainline Protestants and 70% of white evangelicals.

  • short reads

    Have Wireless Internet Access

    That’s the percent of internet users who have logged onto the internet using a wireless connection either around the house, at their workplace, or some place else. In other words, one-third of internet users, either with a laptop computer, a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA), or cell phone, have surfed the internet or checked email using means such as WiFi broadband or cell phone networks

  • short reads

    Gen Next: Still Picking Mom and Dad’s Pockets

    Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Gen Nexters — Americans in the age range 18-25 — told a recent Pew survey that they have received financial help from their parents during the past 12 months. Fully 46% say they depend on their parents or other family members for financial assistance.

  • short reads

    For Them, Money Is The Biggest Problem

    That’s the portion of Americans who say that financial concerns are the biggest problem their family faces; family, personal and health problems are the next most cited concerns but, taken together, they account for only 11% of top worries for American families.