Laura Silver

Republicans and Democrats differ substantially over several sources of meaning in life, including faith, freedom, health and hobbies.

Here are six facts about where Americans find meaning in life and how those responses have shifted over the past four years.

Family is preeminent for most publics but work, material well-being and health also play a key role.

Most people view their own government’s record on personal freedoms more favorably than they do when it comes to the U.S. and especially China.

Concerns about racial and ethnic discrimination are widespread in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed this spring.

The U.S. is seen positively in advanced economies for its technology, entertainment, military and universities, but negatively for its health care system, discrimination and the state of its democracy.

While Americans see some aspects of U.S. power more positively than people elsewhere, they offer more negative views in other areas.

Wide majorities in most of the 17 advanced economies surveyed say having people of many different backgrounds improves their society, but most also see conflicts between partisan, racial and ethnic groups.

Asking follow-up questions can help make sure that poll respondents are interpreting questions as intended.

In March 2021 – the most recent month for which data is available – around 3 million American citizens traveled outside of the country.