Chapter 1. Growing Concern about the Nation and the Economy
Faced with a slowing economy and political gridlock, Indians are dissatisfied with the ways things are going in their country, increasingly gloomy about the country’s economic future and also worried about their children’s economic prospects. Gone is the sense of well-being and optimism that prevailed just a few years ago when many private economists forecast […]
Egypt on the Eve of Elections: Economy, Democracy Are Both Priorities
On the eve of the first presidential election of the post-Mubarak era, Egyptians remain hopeful about the future of their country, and they strongly desire both an improved economy and the democratic freedoms they were denied under the previous regime.
Egyptians Remain Optimistic, Embrace Democracy and Religion in Political Life
A year after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, a new nationwide survey finds that Egyptians remain upbeat about the course of the nation and prospects for progress. Most Egyptians continue to support democracy, and most also want Islam to play a major role in society.
Chapter 1. National Conditions and Views About the Future
The Egyptian national mood improved dramatically following the February 2011 resignation of Hosni Mubarak, and today Egyptians remain generally positive about their country’s path and its future prospects. Still, less than half say things have actually gotten better for Egyptians since Mubarak left office, and few describe the current economic situation as good. Moreover, lower-income […]
Chapter 3. Attitudes Toward Democracy
As their country grapples with a difficult political transition, Egyptians continue to believe democracy is the best form of government and most trust it more than a strong leader to solve the nation’s problems. Moreover, Egyptians not only value democracy in a general sense – they also value specific features of a democratic society. For […]
Chapter 1. Views of National Conditions
Pakistanis remain deeply dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country. More than eight-in-ten say the nation’s economy is in bad shape, and most are pessimistic about Pakistan’s short-term economic future. Concerns about rising prices and the lack of jobs are widespread, and about nine-in-ten also rate crime and terrorism as very big […]
U.S. Image in Pakistan Falls No Further Following bin Laden Killing
America’s image among Pakistanis remains poor, and most disapprove of the U.S. raid that killed bin Laden. Extremist groups also remain unpopular, although support for using the Pakistani military against extremists has waned. Most name India as the top threat to Pakistan. Overall, the public mood in Pakistan is grim – 92% are dissatisfied with the country’s direction.
Chapter 1. Views of Political Change
Nearly two months after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down as Egypt’s longtime ruler, few Egyptians lament the end of his 30-year reign. To the contrary, about three-quarters believe Mubarak’s resignation was a good thing. Nearly nine-in-ten, moreover, say they have an unfavorable view of the former president. Mubarak’s briefly serving vice president, Omar Suleiman, fares […]
Egyptians Embrace Revolt Leaders, Religious Parties and Military, As Well
Egyptians of all ages, from all walks of life, and parts of the country continue to celebrate the dramatic political changes their nation has undergone. Overwhelmingly, they say it is good that former president Hosni Mubarak is gone. Nearly two-in-three are satisfied with the way things are going in Egypt, and most are optimistic about their country’s future.
Indians See Threat From Pakistan, Extremist Groups
More than seven-in-ten Indians have confidence in Barack Obama and about two-thirds express a favorable opinion of the U.S. Indians are also upbeat about their country’s economic situation and its role in world affairs. Still, most say India faces major challenges, including crime and corruption. And there are widespread concerns about Pakistan and extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Chapter 3. Views of National Conditions and the Economy
A majority of Indians express dissatisfaction with national conditions overall. Still, nearly six-in-ten give their nation’s economy a positive rating, and most expect economic conditions to improve over the next year. In addition, more than eight-in-ten say the government is doing a good job dealing with the economy. Concerns about crime, terrorism and corrupt political […]
Brazilians Upbeat About Their Country, Despite Its Problems
Brazilians are relatively upbeat about the state of their country, although they still see serious challenges, including illegal drugs, crime and political corruption. And Brazilians are confident about their country’s place in the world: most say Brazil already is or will eventually be one of the world’s leading powers.
Chapter 1. Views of National Conditions and the Economy
Brazilians offer mixed views about the way things are going in their country. Most say the nation’s economy is in good shape, but concerns about illegal drugs, crime, corruption and social inequality are widespread. Still, compared with other publics around the world, Brazilians are among the most satisfied with national conditions. Of the other 21 […]
End of Communism Cheered but Now with More Reservations
Publics of former Iron Curtain countries generally look back approvingly at the collapse of communism. Majorities in most former Soviet republics and Eastern European countries endorse the emergence of democracy and capitalism. However, the initial enthusiasm about these changes has dimmed in most of the countries surveyed.
Most Mexicans See Better Life in U.S. – One-In-Three Would Migrate
Mexicans are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the direction of their country and nearly six-in-ten say those who leave their country for the United States enjoy a better life there. One-in-three would move to the U.S. if they had the opportunity.
Pakistani Public Opinion
Pakistani public opinion has turned against al Qaeda and the Taliban, and no fewer than 69% of those polled express worry that extremists will take control of the nation. Ratings for President Asif Ali Zardari have also plummeted, as Pakistanis see their country in crisis.
The Chinese Celebrate Their Roaring Economy, As They Struggle With Its Costs
The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes survey in China finds that more than eight-in-ten Chinese are satisfied with their country’s overall direction and their national economy, a significant increase in contentment from earlier in the decade. But levels of personal satisfaction are generally lower than the national measures, and the poll suggests the Chinese people – who express concern about inflation and pollution – may be struggling with the consequences of economic growth.
Chapter 2. National Issues
The vast majority of Chinese say that their country is on the right path – more than eight-in-ten say things in China are going well and that the economy is strong. Nonetheless, the country is not immune from economic fears – even in China, with its growing economy and high levels of national confidence, economic […]
Chapter 1. Global Publics View Their Lives
Levels of personal satisfaction vary considerably across the world. People in the economically advanced countries of Western Europe, Canada and the United States are relatively happy with their lives. For example, when asked to place themselves on a “ladder of life,” where zero represents the worst possible life and 10 the best possible life, 72% […]
Chapter 2. Global Publics Rate Their Countries
Overall, many publics are somewhat more satisfied with the state of their countries than they were five years ago. In the 35 nations where trends are available, the number of people satisfied has increased in 21, declined in nine, and remained basically unchanged in five. The greatest improvement is found in Bangladesh, where 75% currently […]
Chapter 5. Sub-Saharan Africa
Hunger, disease and poverty continue to extract a painful toll throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Large percentages in the 10 African countries surveyed say there have been times in the past year they have been unable to afford food, clothing and medical care. And fewer than four-in-ten in every African country surveyed say they are very satisfied […]
A Rising Tide Lifts Mood in the Developing World
A 47-nation survey finds that as economic growth has surged in much of Latin America, East Europe and Asia over the past five years, people are expressing greater satisfaction with their personal lives, family incomes and national conditions. The picture is different in most advanced nations, where growth has been less robust and citizen satisfaction has changed little since 2002.Commentary
Chapter 1. Global Publics View Their Lives
From the industrial West to Latin America and Asia, people generally point to financial concerns as their most pressing personal problem. When respondents were asked to describe in their own words the biggest problem confronting them and their families, economic difficulties were cited most frequently in 40 of 44 nations surveyed. Nearly half of Americans […]
Chapter 2. Global Publics View Their Countries
The more than 38,000 people interviewed in the Global Attitudes survey are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the way things are going in their countries today. Solid majorities in nearly every country in every region surveyed say they are unhappy with the state of their nation. Although just four-in-ten Americans (41%) have a positive view of national […]
