Religion

reportJun 9, 2025

Bar chart showing that Christians are the world’s largest religious group

Globally, Christians remain the largest religion category in number, while Muslims and religiously unaffiliated people were the fastest-growing groups from 2010 to 2020. The rise of the “nones” was fueled by switching out of Christianity.

Interactive table: Religious Composition by Country, 2010-2020

short readAug 22, 2025

data essayJun 25, 2025

reportJun 16, 2025

Woman praying with rosary beads in hands

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short readsAug 3, 2009

Evolutionary Theory

A wide gap exists between the public and scientists over evolution.
reportJul 31, 2009

Obamamania Missing in Muslim World

Only Modest Changes in U.S. Image in Predominantly Muslim Countries
reportJul 24, 2009

A Portrait of Mormons in the U.S.

In Utah, July 24 is Pioneer Day, a state holiday commemorating the day in 1847 when the first Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young, entered the Salt Lake Valley. Today, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon groups make up 58% of Utah’s population and 1.7% of the total […]
reportJul 23, 2009

Confidence in Obama Lifts U.S. Image Around the World

The image of the United States has improved markedly in most parts of the world reflecting global confidence in Barack Obama. In many countries, opinions of the U.S. are now about as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade before George W. Bush took office.
reportJul 15, 2009

“One Small Step” No Longer Seen as Such a Giant Leap for America

Four decades after the first American astronauts walked on the moon, that historic accomplishment has lost some prominence in the eyes of the public. Gen Y is especially spaced out.
reportJul 15, 2009

“One Small Step” No Longer Seen as Such a Giant Leap for America

Four decades after the first American astronauts walked on the moon, that historic accomplishment has lost some prominence in the eyes of the public. Gen Y is especially spaced out.
reportJul 9, 2009

Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media

A new survey of scientists and the public finds large majorities holding positive views of science. But scientists are concerned about Americans’ ignorance of scientific findings and large differences exist between the two groups’ views on evolution and global warming. Still, overwhelming percentages in both groups think that government investments in science and technology pay off in the long run.
reportJul 9, 2009

A Contentious Debate: Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.

Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Slideshow: Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage Overview of Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S. Gay Marriage and the Law Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Gay Marriage Gay Marriage Around the World Graphic: State Policies on Same-Sex Marriage Q&A: Gay Marriage and the Free Exercise of Religion In recent years, the […]
fact sheetJul 9, 2009

The Constitutional Dimensions of the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

In this research package Public Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Slideshow: Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage Overview of Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S. Gay Marriage and the Law Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Gay Marriage Gay Marriage Around the World Graphic: State Policies on Same-Sex Marriage Q&A: Gay Marriage and the Free Exercise of Religion On […]
reportJul 9, 2009

Public Opinion on Gay Marriage: Opponents Consistently Outnumber Supporters

Navigate this Report: Public Opinion on Gay Marriage Differences by Political Affiliation Differences by Age Differences by Religious Characteristics Public Opinion on Same-Sex Civil Unions Public Opinion on Adoption by Same-Sex Couples Public Opinion on Gay Marriage RELATED CONTENT For more recent public opinion data on same-sex marriage, strategies to legalize it, civil unions and […]

Signature Reports

reportFeb 26, 2025

After years of decline, the U.S. Christian share now shows signs of leveling off. The new Religious Landscape Study explores trends in identity, beliefs and practices.

data essayDec 21, 2022

The Global Religious Futures (GRF) project is jointly funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The John Templeton Foundation. Here are some big-picture findings from the GRF, together with context from other Pew Research Center studies.

reportMay 21, 2025