Understanding Global Morality: Insights from Pew Research Center

The Pew Research Center recently conducted a comprehensive analysis exploring how adults in 25 countries perceive the morality of their fellow citizens. This study sheds light on various behaviors—such as drinking alcohol, gambling, and having affairs—and how these actions are viewed across different cultures.

About the Research

This analysis is rooted in a desire to inform the public, journalists, and leaders about moral perceptions worldwide. The Pew Research Center has a long-standing commitment to studying religion and morality, making this research a vital addition to their portfolio. The data was collected through nationally representative surveys involving 28,333 adults from January 8 to April 26, 2025.

Methodology

The surveys were conducted via phone in countries like Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, while face-to-face interviews were held in nations such as Argentina, Brazil, and India. In the U.S., a separate survey was conducted with 3,605 adults from March 24 to 30, 2025. The methodology ensures that the findings are robust and reflective of diverse viewpoints.

Key Findings

Americans’ Skepticism About Morality

One striking finding is that Americans are more likely than individuals in other surveyed countries to question the morality of their fellow citizens. In fact, 53% of U.S. adults describe the morality of their compatriots as bad, compared to only 47% who view it as good. This skepticism is unique among the countries surveyed, where generally, more people believe that others exhibit good morals.

Partisan Perspectives

The study reveals that partisan politics significantly influence perceptions of morality in the U.S. Democrats and those leaning Democratic are more likely to rate fellow Americans as morally bad (60%) compared to Republicans and Republican leaners (46%). This pattern of skepticism is not limited to the U.S.; in over half of the countries surveyed, individuals who do not support the governing party are more likely to view their fellow citizens as immoral.

Global Perspectives on Morality

Despite the skepticism in the U.S., the global trend shows that in nearly all surveyed countries, more people believe that others possess good morals rather than bad. This raises questions about whether Americans are inherently more moralistic or if external factors contribute to their negative perceptions.

Views on Specific Behaviors

The study also examined how various behaviors are perceived across countries. For instance, while 39% of U.S. adults consider homosexuality morally wrong, this figure is significantly lower in countries like Germany and Sweden (5% each) but much higher in Indonesia (93%) and Nigeria (96%).

Conversely, the U.S. is among the countries most likely to condemn extramarital affairs, with 90% of Americans viewing them as morally unacceptable. This contrasts sharply with Germany and France, where only about half of the population shares this view.

Acceptance of Certain Behaviors

Interestingly, Americans are relatively accepting of behaviors like marijuana use and gambling. Only 23% of U.S. adults consider marijuana use morally unacceptable, and 29% feel the same about gambling. In many other surveyed countries, these figures are significantly higher, indicating a more liberal stance in the U.S. on these issues.

International Consensus on Affairs

Across the 25 countries surveyed, extramarital affairs garnered the strongest disapproval, with a median of 77% of adults deeming them morally unacceptable. This sentiment is consistent across cultures, with at least half of the respondents in every country surveyed expressing disapproval.

Divergent Views on Abortion

The morality of abortion presents a more complex picture. In Latin American and African countries, a majority consider abortion morally unacceptable, while in most European nations, the majority view it as either acceptable or not a moral issue. This divergence highlights the cultural and religious influences that shape moral perspectives.

Gender Differences in Morality

The research also indicates that women are generally more likely than men to deem certain behaviors, such as viewing pornography and gambling, as morally unacceptable. For instance, in the U.S., 58% of women view pornography as wrong, compared to 47% of men. This trend is consistent across many countries, with significant gender gaps observed in places like South Korea and Spain.

Religious Influences on Morality

Religious beliefs play a crucial role in shaping moral views. Christians, particularly in Africa and Latin America, are often more likely to consider behaviors like abortion and homosexuality as morally unacceptable. However, there is considerable variation among Christians in different regions. For example, while a majority of Christians in Africa oppose abortion, only a minority in Sweden share this view.

Education and Age Factors

The study also highlights how education and age influence moral perceptions. Generally, individuals with lower levels of education are more likely to view various behaviors as morally unacceptable. Similarly, older adults tend to express more conservative views on issues like marijuana use and gambling compared to younger generations.

Conclusion

This extensive research by the Pew Research Center provides valuable insights into the complex landscape of global morality. The findings reveal not only the diverse perceptions of morality across different cultures but also the underlying factors that shape these views, including political affiliation, gender, religion, education, and age. Understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering dialogue and empathy in an increasingly interconnected world.