Sub-Saharan Africa

Government restrictions in 2018 were at their highest level since 2007, when Pew Research Center began tracking these trends.

Pope Francis made news recently by voicing his support for same-sex civil unions. The statement struck observers as a shift for the Vatican.

Ahead of the 2020 U.S. election, here’s a look at how elections are run in the United States and other countries around the world.

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.