72% of Americans say the U.S. used to be a good example of democracy, but isn’t anymore
A median of 40% of adults across 34 other countries surveyed in 2024 say U.S. democracy used to be a good example for other countries to follow.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Janell Fetterolf is a senior researcher at Pew Research Center, specializing in international survey research. She is a contributing author on numerous reports, including studies about America’s image abroad, democracy, and views of gender equality. She also works on developing questionnaires, assessing data quality, and analyzing survey results. Fetterolf has a Ph.D. in social psychology from Rutgers University and a B.A. from Northwestern University.
Publications
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Satisfaction with democracy has declined in recent years in high-income nations
Many worldwide are dissatisfied with how democracy is working. In several high-income democracies, dissatisfaction has been on the rise since 2021.
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Globally, Biden Receives Higher Ratings Than Trump
Across 34 nations polled, a 43% median have confidence in Biden’s handling of world affairs, while a 28% median have confidence in Trump.
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Support for legal abortion is widespread in many places, especially in Europe
Majorities in most of the 27 places around the world surveyed in 2023 and 2024 say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
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Americans are less likely than others around the world to feel close to people in their country or community
A median of 83% across 24 nations surveyed say they feel close to other people in their country, while 66% of Americans hold this view.
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Fewer Americans view the United Nations favorably than in 2023
Today, 52% of Americans view the organization favorably, down from 57% in 2023.
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Support for democracy is strong in Hong Kong and Taiwan
More than eight-in-ten adults in Hong Kong and Taiwan say democracy is a good way to govern.
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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.
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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.
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Americans who have traveled internationally stand out in their views and knowledge of foreign affairs
Roughly three-quarters of Americans (76%) have visited at least one other country, including 26% who have been to five or more.
