Mixed signals on religion for young adults in U.S.
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions Iowa bishop says…
Most Americans’ Religious Lives Haven’t Changed Much in Recent Years
Tracking the same adults from 2020 to 2025 shows most Americans' religious affiliation, prayer frequency and service attendance remained steady.
Religion Remains Stable in the U.S., With Mixed Signals for Young Adults
A closer look at recent religious trends in the United States After a prolonged decline, religion in the United States has shown signs of strength and stability in recent years.…
What We Know About Eligible Voters Who Are Naturalized U.S. Citizens
Around one-in-ten eligible voters in this year's midterms are naturalized citizens. See where they live, where they're from and how they differ demographically.
Americans’ Views of ICE Grow More Negative
A majority of Americans (56%) now say they have an unfavorable opinion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Why Is Election Day on a Tuesday in the U.S., and How Many Other Countries Have Weekday Elections?
The U.S. is one of 28 democratic countries that routinely holds national elections on non-holiday weekdays.
What We Learned From a Survey Experiment About Global ‘Superpowers’
We tested open-ended ways to ask which countries are global superpowers. Here's what cognitive interviews and a survey experiment revealed.
Few Americans Say They Are Asking AI Chatbots for 2026 Election Information
Among the 8% of U.S. adults using chatbots for this purpose, most have sought information about candidates or issues in the elections.
How Americans View Federal Agencies
Americans view eight of 12 federal agencies we asked about more favorably than unfavorably. The National Park Service, National Weather Service and U.S. Postal Service are viewed…
Where Americans are getting their news in the digital age
The Briefing ☀️ Happy Thursday! The Briefing is your guide to the world of news and information. Sign up here! In today’s email: 🔥 Featured story According to a report by Axios,…
Americans’ mood before the election
Politics A monthly digest of research on public attitudes on politics and major policy issues · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of registered voters who say the economy is…
Growing Share of Americans Say Social Media Is an Important News Source for Them
A majority of U.S. adults (58%) now say social media is an important way for them to keep up with the news.
Online Communities Rarely Focus on Politics, and Many Say It Should Stay That Way
Most people in online communities see little to no politics in their go-to space, and 54% say it doesn't belong there.
Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics
This is part of a larger report on the attitudes and dynamics shaping the 2026 midterm elections. With several weeks to go until Election Day, Americans who are registered to vote…
Judge orders White House to restore access for CNN, MS NOW, Politico
The Briefing ☀️ Happy Thursday! The Briefing is your guide to the world of news and information. Sign up here! In today’s email: 🔥 Featured story A federal judge ruled today that…
📰 How Americans think about press freedom
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who correctly answer all eight questions on our First Amendment…
How Latino Voters Are Experiencing the 2026 Midterm Elections
Democratic congressional candidates have a sizable advantage among Latino registered voters. And Latino Democratic candidate supporters are more engaged with this year’s election…
Cost Concerns Dominate as Public’s Economic Ratings Turn More Negative
The costs of many household essentials are a top economic concern for most Americans – much as they were four years ago on the eve of the last midterm election.
With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms
The 2026 midterm election comes amid deep public dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and near-record low approval ratings for Trump.
Religion and Spirituality Online
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions White Evangelicals…
Why Don’t Some People Use Chatbots?
About half of U.S. adults never use chatbots, and most non-users cite disinterest, privacy or accuracy concerns.
How U.S. Voters View Mail and Absentee Balloting
While most registered voters across the country expect to cast their ballots in person this year, a quarter expect to vote by mail or absentee ballot (or have already done so). As…
Broad Public Confidence in Elections in the U.S. – but Partisans Differ Over Concerns About Access, Security
Most voters expect well-run 2026 midterms, but Republicans and Democrats differ on noncitizen voting safeguards and whether eligible citizens can vote if they choose to.
Pace of Trump’s Judicial Appointments Has Slowed in His Second Term
President Trump has appointed fewer federal judges in this term than at this point in his first, and his pace trails that of most recent presidents.
Americans’ Use of Mobile Devices in 2026
Americans today are increasingly connected to the world of digital information while “on the go” via smartphones. Explore the latest patterns, trends and statistics that have…
Americans’ Use of Internet, Broadband in 2026
The internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information and conduct their day-to-day lives. Explore the patterns, trends and…
News Platform Fact Sheet
How Americans get news continues to evolve as platforms emerge, like AI chatbots and email newsletters. Find out how often they get news from digital devices.
Americans’ Use of Social Media in 2026
Today YouTube and Facebook are the most-widely used online platforms. Explore the demographic patterns and trends shaping the social media landscape.
Social Media and News Fact Sheet
Many Americans use social media for news: About a fifth or more regularly get news on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
Methodology
This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.…
Acknowledgements
This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals: Primary researchers Athena Chapekis, Computational Social Scientist Arnold Lau,…
How urban, suburban and rural Americans engage in society
The Briefing ☀️ Happy Thursday! The Briefing is your guide to the world of news and information. Sign up here! In today’s email: 🔥 Featured story Prosecutors this week reopened an…
About a Third of Americans Have Left an Online Community
Online communities can draw people in with shared interests, support or a sense of belonging. But for some Americans, these spaces aren’t forever, according to a new Pew Research…
Social media and democracy around the world
Global Attitudes & Trends A digest of the Center’s latest findings from its worldwide public opinion surveys and demographic research · Subscribe ↗ In the news Social media harms…
💵 Many Americans can’t afford basic necessities
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who say they’ve cut back their spending on extras – like dining…
Turkish police raid offices of major TV news channel
The Briefing ☀️ Happy Thursday! The Briefing is your guide to the world of news and information. Sign up here! In today’s email: 🔥 Featured story Turkish police this week raided…
Appendix A: Model prompt text
You are a respondent to a public opinion survey in the United States of America. Your task is to answer survey questions. You are playing the role of a person with the following…
What Do Health and Wellness Influencers Post About?
Just over half of health and wellness content on social media focuses on healthy living, while about a third discusses medical topics. And 38% of posts have a product or service…
Religion and spirituality among Hindu Americans
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions These Democrats…
Skydance says CNN will retain its editorial independence
The Briefing ☀️ Happy Thursday! The Briefing is your guide to the world of news and information. Sign up here! In today’s email: 🔥 Featured story Paramount’s merger with Warner…
↘️ Views of data centers turn more negative
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who say they would be uncomfortable with a new data center in…
📱 Americans and smartphones 📱
Internet, Science & Tech A monthly digest of the Center’s latest research on how the internet, science and technology are impacting society · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions Half of…
Acknowledgments
This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals. Richard Wike, Director, Global Attitudes ResearchMaria Smerkovich, Research…
Latter-day Saints are highly religious, though not uniformly so
Latter-day Saints in the US are highly religious, though not uniformly so Excerpt: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in the Mountain region and…
Appendix C: Full list of variables in profile information
The standard profile The extended profile For a full list of questions used in the extended profile, refer to the Wave 183 topline.[8. numoffset=”8″ Variables POLFUT, NATPROBS…
🧠 Can AI surveys replicate public opinion?
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of Americans who prefer to make in-person payments with a credit or debit…
Online Community and Connection in America
Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are in an online community. These virtual third spaces can take many forms, like Facebook groups, online video games or fandom forums on Reddit.
Trends in Income and Wealth Inequality
Most Americans say there’s too much economic inequality in the United States these days. To understand how people’s financial circumstances have changed in recent decades, we…
🗳️ Where voters stand ahead of the midterms
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of voters who consider President Donald Trump a factor in their vote for…
Welcoming machines as audience: A guide for nonprofit communicators thinking about AI
Key takeaways shared in “From AI Insight to AI Impact,” a ComNet 2026 session hosted by Claudia Deane, Executive Vice President, and Monica Anderson, Director, Internet and…
Which Health and Wellness Influencers Talk About Medical Topics? Mostly Healthcare Professionals
Influencers who describe themselves as healthcare professionals tend to post much more often about topics like medical conditions, mental health or treatments requiring the…
Economy Ranks as Top Issue in Midterms for All Voters – But Partisans Differ Over the Importance of Other Issues
The economy is the dominant issue for midterm voters in this fall’s congressional elections. As Americans express growing concerns about economic conditions and the cost of…
Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions 9 ways U.S.…
Views on posting the Ten Commandments in public schools
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions Mail order…
Can AI Stand In for Human Survey-Takers? Not Really
Synthetic surveys using digital twins do a poor job estimating the public mood and are especially error-prone for some subgroups, including Republicans and Black adults.
The Economy Is the Top Issue for Latino Voters in the 2026 Midterms
A majority says the Trump administration is doing too much on deportations For Latino voters, the economy is the top issue on their minds when it comes to the upcoming…
Republicans’ Views of Some Countries and International Organizations Differ Widely by Age
Younger Republicans’ views of some countries and international organizations are sometimes closer to Democrats’ views than they are to those of older Republicans.
Americans Are Negative About Social Media’s Impact on Democracy – and the Rest of the World Is Catching Up
In 2026, 64% of Americans say social media is harming their democracy, and attitudes in many other countries are significantly more negative than they used to be.
Synthetic surveys and ‘timely and topical’ questions
Synthetic surveys fail to replicate public opinion on timely and topical issues in early 2026, including presidential approval and views of data centers.
Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are still highly religious and conservative, but signs point to demographic and social change.
From cash to credit, how Americans’ payment methods have changed in the past decade
Since 2015, the share of Americans who say they use cash for all or almost all of their purchases in a typical week has fallen by half, from 24% to 12%.
Latter-day Saints largely identify as Republican but stand out from their partisan peers on diversity issues
Three-quarters of Latter-day Saint Republicans say racial and ethnic diversity strengthens the country, compared with six-in-ten Republicans overall.
Americans’ Views of Economic Inequality, Its Causes and Who Should Fix It
Since 2019, a growing share among those who say there’s too much inequality think the economic system needs to be completely rebuilt to address it.
How Do Americans Feel About G20 Countries?
Ahead of this year's G20 summit, most Americans rate Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy and other members warmly. Sentiment is coldest toward Russia.
1 in 5 Americans Regularly Get News on TikTok
Among adults under 30, 39% say they regularly get news from TikTok, up from 9% in 2020.
Lifelong Latter-day Saints are more religious than both former members and converts
The demographics of those who were raised in the church – and remain in it – also differ in notable ways from those who left or converted to it.
The Gender Gap in AI
Men and women now use AI chatbots at similar rates, but men use them more often, while women are more skeptical of AI's impact on their lives.
Religious Groups Differ Widely in Their 2026 Midterm Preferences
White evangelical Protestants and White Catholics favor Republicans in the midterms, while other religious groups split or lean Democratic.
How synthetic polling results change based on the AI model
Survey experiments with Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.1 each paint a very different picture of U.S. public opinion, neither of which reflect reality.
How well synthetic samples replicate public opinion
Synthetic survey respondents tend to exaggerate differences between demographic subgroups and portray some responses as nearly universal.
Latter-day Saints: Happy in their family lives, traditional in gender roles
Latter-day Saints are more likely than many other Americans to rate their family lives highly and to marry someone of the same religion.
How Pew Research Center is – and is not – using AI in our work
In this post, we’ll share our current guidelines for the internal use of artificial intelligence and potential areas of experimentation.
Americans’ views of China have warmed in recent years
Americans’ feelings toward China have warmed since 2021, though views remain mostly cold, with sharp partisan and generational divides.
French Adults Stand Out for Their Economic Pessimism
Amid protests, 85% of French adults say their economy is bad, a higher share than in any of 17 other high-income countries surveyed.
What Do Australians Think About Social Media Restrictions for Kids?
About eight-in-ten Australian adults support restricting access to social media for kids. This includes 51% who strongly support it.
Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy
Most think social media leads to manipulation and division, but they also say it informs people and gives them a voice in politics.
How Brazilians view their country ahead of 2026 elections
Ahead of Brazil's Oct. 4 elections, here are four facts about how they view their country and Brazil’s main trading partners.
Majority of Americans Expect Democrats to Win Control of House; Public Is Split on Senate
Americans overall see the Democrats as having a better chance to win a House majority than take control of the Senate.
Social Media Platform Use Around the World
Facebook is generally the top platform globally, followed by Instagram, while fewer overall use TikTok, X or Snapchat.
Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative
Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative since January. But many are unsure or unfamiliar with them.
How well synthetic polls capture the diversity of public opinion
AI survey respondents are more likely than humans to agree on one answer choice or avoid a response option entirely.
Many Americans Are Struggling to Afford Basic Necessities
44% of Americans had trouble paying for a basic necessity in the past year, with lower-income adults hit hardest.
Latter-day Saints have strong communal ties and high social trust
About half of Latter-day Saints (48%) say most people can be trusted, compared with 34% of U.S. adults overall.
So Far, the 119th Congress Is Among the Least Productive of the Past 40 Years
The 119th Congress has enacted 121 laws so far, the second fewest of any Congress in the past four decades.
How synthetic respondents express certainty and factual knowledge
AI survey respondents are far less likely than humans to select "not sure" or factually incorrect answers.
How Do Americans Engage With News Online?
Most Americans chat privately about news online, but only about a quarter post publicly.
Women, Work and Caregiving Through the Arc of Family Life
Gender, work and caregiving are often woven together in family life in the United States. Most parents with children under 18 are employed. And as the population ages, a growing…
Latino Registered Voters See the Democratic Party More Favorably Than the Republican Party
Latino registered voters have more positive views of the Democratic Party than the Republican Party overall. About half (53%) have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party,…
Why Americans Identify as Republicans and Democrats – and Why They Don’t
Many don’t consider themselves Republicans or Democrats. Instead, they're independents or something else – though they often “lean” toward a major party.
Iran Conflict Remains Deeply Unpopular as Many Americans Expect It To Go On for Months
Around two-thirds (65%) now disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling the U.S. military action in Iran, while a third (33%) approve.
Religious Groups’ Midterm Preferences
Religion & Public Life A weekly digest of the Center’s latest research on religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world · Subscribe ↗ Media mentions Pew midterm poll:…
Trump’s Approval Rating Drops as Fewer Americans Are Confident in His Handling of the Economy, Other Issues
31% of Trump’s 2024 voters disapprove of his job performance Three-in-ten Americans now approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 68% disapprove.…
Prediction markets’ trading volume doubled between May and July, largely driven by sports
Prediction market trading on Kalshi and Polymarket doubled from May to July, mostly due to a large uptick in sports trading.
Quiz: What Is Your Civic Personality?
Take our civic personality quiz to find out how your engagement with news, politics, religious and civic activities compares with other U.S. adults.
🔎 What’s your civic personality? Take our quiz
Weekly Roundup The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of U.S. adults under 30 who regularly get news from TikTok.
The U.S. electorate’s changing racial and ethnic makeup
Politics A monthly digest of research on public attitudes on politics and major policy issues · Subscribe ↗ From our research The share of those with bachelor’s degrees who say…
Men Are Experiencing More Job Growth Than Women in AI-Exposed Occupations
Men's employment grew faster than women's in occupations most exposed to AI, a gap driven largely by workers without a bachelor's degree.