Richard Wike

Jan 9, 2025 | pewresearch.org | Richard Wike |Moira Fagan |Christine Huang |Laura Clancy

Most say rich people’s political influence is a big contributing factorThis Pew Research Center analysis focuses on public opinion of inequality and its contributing factors in 36 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East-North Africa region, North America and sub-Saharan Africa. The report also explores views of children’s financial futures and the economic system reform in each country.

Jan 9, 2025 | pewresearch.org | Richard Wike |Moira Fagan |Christine Huang |Laura Clancy

In our 36-country survey, we asked respondents how large a problem various types of inequality are in their nation, including the gap between the rich and the poor, unequal rights for men and women, discrimination based on a person’s race or ethnicity, and discrimination based on a person’s religion. Here are some key takeaways:A median of 54% across the countries surveyed say the gap between the rich and the poor is a very big problem.

Jan 9, 2025 | pewresearch.org | Richard Wike |Moira Fagan |Christine Huang |Laura Clancy

In most of the countries we surveyed, there is widespread support for changing the economic system. In fact, in all but three nations, majorities say the economic system in their country needs major changes or complete reform. Across all 36 countries, a median of 20% of adults say their economic system needs to be completely reformed, while a median of 52% call for major changes. Much smaller median shares say their economic system needs minor changes (16%) or no changes at all (3%).

Jan 9, 2025 | pewresearch.org | Richard Wike |Moira Fagan |Christine Huang |Laura Clancy

For this analysis, we grouped people into two political categories: those who support the governing political party (or parties) in their country, and those who do not. These categories were coded based on the party or parties in power at the time the survey was fielded and on respondents’ answers to a question asking which political party, if any, they identify with in their country.

Jan 9, 2025 | pewresearch.org | Richard Wike |Moira Fagan |Christine Huang |Laura Clancy

Results for the survey are based on telephone, face-to-face and online interviews conducted under the direction of Gallup, Langer Research Associates, Social Research Centre and Verian. The results are based on national samples, unless otherwise noted. Here are more details about our international survey methodology and country-specific sample designs. The American Trends Panel (ATP), created by Pew Research Center, is a nationally representative panel of randomly selected U.S. adults.