WUNRN
GLOBAL VIEWS ON MORALITY – 40 COUNTRIES PEW SURVEY –
MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN’S FREEDOMS, RIGHTS, MORAL EXPECTATIONS
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Global Views on Morality
Pew Research Center Spring 2013 and Winter
2013-2014 surveys
April
15, 2014 Release
http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/04/15/global-morality/
Research
Results & Charts – 40 Countries - http://www.pewglobal.org/files/2014/03/Morality-Topline-FINAL.pdf
The Pew Research Center’s 2013 Global Attitudes
survey asked 40,117 respondents in 40 countries what they thought about eight
topics often discussed as moral issues: extramarital affairs, gambling,
homosexuality, abortion, premarital sex, alcohol consumption, divorce, and the
use of contraceptives.1
See graph for Median Percentages in 40
countries: http://www.pewglobal.org/2014/04/15/global-morality/
There is a great deal of variation across these issues. Generally, affairs, gambling, homosexuality, and abortion are deemed unacceptable by the largest number of respondents. Many also consider premarital sex and alcohol use unacceptable. Meanwhile, contraceptives and divorce are seen as acceptable by the greatest number of people. However, by clicking on each issue, you can explore public opinion in each individual country, and you will find there is much diversity across nations. Generally, African and predominantly Muslim countries tend to find most of these activities morally unacceptable, while in advanced economies, such as those in Western Europe, Japan, and North America, people tend to be more accepting or to not consider these moral issues at all.