Culture and Values

Religion, Secularism Working in Tandem in Bangladesh

Secular governance not reducing importance citizens place on religion

July 30, 2009

Despite a landslide victory by the secular Awami League in the December 2008 election, Bangladeshis remain strongly religious in their personal lives, showing a movement toward separation of religion and politics.More ...

U.S., Canada Show More Interfaith Cohesion Than Europe

European Muslims embrace their nations, but the latter do not embrace them

May 8, 2009

A new report from Gallup and the Coexist Foundation reveals that residents of the U.S. and Canada are more likely than Europeans surveyed to be classified as “integrated.” It also reveals that European Muslims and the general publics have different perceptions of European Muslims’ loyalty to their nations.More ...

This Easter, Smaller Percentage of Americans Are Christian

Americans more likely now than in previous decades to say they have no religious identity

April 10, 2009

The percentage of Americans who identify with some form of a Christian religion has been dropping in recent decades, and now stands at 77%. In 1948, when Gallup began tracking religious identification, the percentage who were Christian was 91%.More ...

EU Work-Life Balance Tilts Against Women, Single Parents

One in seven residents say combining work and family life is very difficult

April 8, 2009

A Eurobarometer survey conducted for the European Commission by Gallup reveals that a majority of EU residents (51%) have difficulties striking a correct work-life balance. Single-parent households face most difficulties, and just 22% of two-parent households prefer a situation where both parents work full-time.More ...

More Religious Countries, More Perceived Ethnic Intolerance

Picture is more complex for more religious versus less religious people

April 7, 2009

Worldwide, people in more religious countries are more likely than people in more secular countries to perceive intolerance of ethnic and racial minorities in their communities. However, for individual religions and people, the association between religiosity and ethnic intolerance is much more complex.More ...

Despite Recession, No Uptick in Americans’ Religiosity

Self-reported importance of religion and church attendance have remained steady

March 23, 2009

Despite the economic recession, a review of more than 425,000 interviews Gallup has conducted since early 2008 shows no increase in either the average of 65% of Americans who say religion is important in their daily lives, or the 42% who report regularly attending church.More ...

Religiosity and Perceived Intolerance of Gays and Lesbians

Link is strong but varies across religious traditions

March 10, 2009

People living in countries where more people say religion is important in their daily lives are much more likely than those living in countries where fewer people say religion is important to report that their communities are not good places to live for gays and lesbians.More ...

Religion Provides Emotional Boost to World’s Poor

In low-income areas, religiosity linked to more enjoyment, less worry

March 6, 2009

Gallup Polls conducted in 2008 reveal that in countries where average annual incomes are $2,000 or less, religiosity makes a difference in residents’ emotional health and their likelihood to report positive experiences and interactions. These effects are smaller or absent among residents in rich-world countries.More ...

Muslim Americans Exemplify Diversity, Potential

Key findings from a new report by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies

March 2, 2009

Muslim Americans are the most racially diverse religious group in the United States. Muslim American women are among the most educated in the country, and young Muslim Americans report among the lowest levels of being registered to vote.More ...

What Alabamians and Iranians Have in Common

A global perspective on Americans’ religiosity offers a few surprises

February 9, 2009

In terms of their likelihood to say religion is important in their daily lives, U.S. state populations span a range that invites comparisons to some predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East, as well as to some relatively secular nations in Europe and developed East Asia.More ...