Our annual report includes a five-year look at the relationship between religion-related government restrictions and social hostilities in 198 countries and territories.
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Majorities of White Christian groups say the large number of migrants seeking to enter at the border with Mexico is a “crisis” for the United States.
As a shop that studies human behavior through surveys and other social scientific techniques, we have a good line of sight into the contradictory nature of human preferences. Here’s a look at how we categorize our survey participants in ways that enhance our understanding of how people think and behave.
Around six-in-ten U.S. atheists are men (64%). And seven-in-ten are ages 49 or younger, compared with about half of U.S. adults overall (52%).
Americans overwhelmingly see small businesses as having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country. By contrast, their views of large corporations are broadly negative. And most people – including identical shares in both parties – are critical of the impact of banks and financial institutions.
28% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated, describing themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religion.
Although it’s possible that the “nones” have leveled off, it’s also possible that their growth has continued, but at a gradual pace that is difficult to see in the data.
Across more than 20 countries surveyed, a median of 91% say being able to speak their country’s most common language is important for being considered a true national. And 81% say sharing their country’s customs and traditions is important for true belonging.
Most Americans are spiritual or religious in some way and many also say their spirituality and level of religiosity have changed over time.
About six-in-ten U.S. adults say only some (43%) or hardly any or none (18%) of their friends have the same religion they do.
Between 2010 and 2018, the share of Chinese adults who identify with Christianity remained stable at about 2%.
The Global Religious Futures (GRF) project is jointly funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The John Templeton Foundation. Here are some big-picture findings from the GRF, together with context from other Pew Research Center studies.
Few are religiously affiliated, but many in the region hold religious or spiritual beliefs and engage in traditional rituals.
Most say Francis represents change in the church. And many say the church should allow priests to marry and let Catholics use birth control.
The Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the share of Americans who do not identify with any organized religion is growing. These changes affect all regions in the country and many demographic groups.
© 2024 Pew Research Center
