Middle East & North Africa

At least 20 nations preceded the U.S. in granting women the right to vote, according to an analysis of measures in 198 countries and territories.

People in many countries support foreign companies building factories in their own nation. But fewer support foreign firms buying domestic ones.

Across 34 countries, a median of 65% said in 2019 they felt pessimistic about reducing the gap between the rich and poor in their country.

A median of 45% across 34 surveyed countries say it is necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values. However, public opinion on this question, as well as the role of God, prayer and religion varies by country, region and economic development.

Despite major changes in laws and norms surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world, public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains sharply divided by country, region and economic development.

Across the surveyed countries, opinion varies widely about the value of diversity. But interacting with people of different backgrounds is related to more positive attitudes about the role of diversity in society.

To mark World Press Freedom Day, here are five charts that show how people globally see the freedom of the press.

Our response to the pandemic has included the difficult decision to suspend much of our international survey work until further notice.

Sizable shares say men have more opportunities for high-paying jobs and that men should have preferential treatment when jobs are scarce.

Some countries where COVID-19 has been deadliest – including the United States and Italy – have populations that skew considerably older than the global average.