Big gender gap in global public opinion about use of drones
A global Pew Research Center survey finds a large gender gap in attitudes about U.S. government use of drones to target terrorists.
Delayed Motherhood in Canada
This links to a FactTank posting about a new Statistics Canada report showing that birth rates for the first time are higher for women in their late 30s than in their early 20s. Most births in Canada are to women ages 30 and older; by contrast, in the U.S., 40% are.
In Canada, most babies now born to women 30 and older
In the U.S. and many other nations, it’s no longer unusual for women to have a first child at age 35 or even 40. In Canada, this rise in births to older mothers has produced a striking turnabout: For the first time on record, birth rates are higher for women in their late 30s than in their early 20s.
Canada’s Changing Religious Landscape
As Canadians prepare to celebrate Canada Day on July 1, a new Pew Research Center analysis of Canadian census and survey data finds that more Canadians belong to minority faiths than ever before. In addition, the number of Canadians with no religious affiliation has been rising, and attendance at religious services has been dropping.
Geography of the Conclave: Where Do the Cardinals Come From?
The conclave to elect the next pope will begin on Tuesday, March 12. Half of the cardinal electors gathering at the Vatican are European (52%), while 17% come from Latin America. Latin America has the largest share of the world's Catholic population (39%), while 24% of Catholics live in Europe.
Table: Religious Composition by Country, in Percentages
View as: Numbers | Percentages Country Est. 2010 percent that is Christian Est. 2010 percent that is Muslim Est. 2010 percent that is Unaffiliated Est. 2010 percent that is Hindu Est. 2010 percent that is Buddhist Est. 2010 percent that is Folk Religions* Est. 2010 percent that is Other Religions** Est. 2010 percent that is […]
Laws Penalizing Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion are Widespread
On Nov. 20, a Pakistani court ordered blasphemy charges dropped against a Christian teenager who had been accused of burning pages from the Quran. A new Pew Forum analysis finds that as of 2011 nearly half the countries and territories in the world have laws against blasphemy, apostasy or defamation.
Canada Census Exceeds Online Target
The 2011 Canada Census exceeded its targets for online response, and the overall response rate in 2011 was higher than it had been in 2006, according to a news account. The success of the online response campaign in Canada will be studied by U.S. Census Bureau officials, who intend to offer an online option in the 2020 Census.
Rising Restrictions on Religion – One-third of the world’s population experiences an increase
Restrictions on religious beliefs and practices rose in 23 of the world’s 198 countries (12%), decreased in 12 countries (6%) and remained essentially unchanged in 163 countries (82%) between mid-2006 and mid-2009, a new Pew Forum report shows. More than 2.2 billion people – nearly a third of the world’s population – live in the 23 countries with increasing government restrictions or social hostilities involving religion.
Census Canada Forms in the Mail – and Online
Canadians began receiving yellow envelopes this week with their census forms, which include a secure access code so they can complete the questionnaire online. Canadians are being asked to complete the census short form, which is mandatory, within 10 days. If the form is not received by June, a census-taker will knock on the door […]
