Europe & Russia

People with populist views in Western Europe are more likely than those with mainstream views to distrust traditional institutions. While populist attitudes span the ideological spectrum in Western Europe, populist political parties are relatively unpopular in the region.

Regardless of populist sentiments, people in Western Europe tend to favor parties that reflect their own ideological orientation. With regard to policy, too, ideology continues to matter.

Across all 12 NATO member countries, a median of 61% approved of the alliance last spring. Many Americans say NATO does too little to solve global problems.

American women are waiting longer to have children than in the past, but they are still starting their families sooner than women in many other developed nations.

The differences over immigration policy between Germany’s Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union are also evident among backers of the parties.

Restrictions on religion continued to climb in 2016 around the world, the second year in a row of increases.

Restrictions on religion increased in 2016 for the second straight year. Nationalist parties and organizations played an increasing role in harassment of religious minorities, especially in Europe.

Among the 25 most populous countries, Egypt, Russia, India, Indonesia and Turkey have the most restrictions on religion, while Japan, Brazil, the Philippines, the Dem. Rep. of the Congo and the U.S. have the fewest restrictions. Click play to see how restrictions have changed in each country since 2007. Read the full report.

Nationalist and anti-immigrant attitudes in Western Europe have been an issue in a number of recent national elections around the region. But Western Europeans vary by country when it comes to having positive or negative views about immigrants and religious minorities.

This sortable table provides data for levels of internet use, smartphone ownership and social media usage from 2013 to 2017 by country.