Global Views on Leaders & Religious Beliefs | Pew Research Center

Global Survey Reveals Widespread Belief in Leader’s Duty to Uphold Religious Beliefs

A new analysis of surveys conducted across 35 countries reveals that a significant portion of the global population believes it is important for their national leader to stand up for people’s religious beliefs. The findings, released by the Pew Research Center, indicate this sentiment generally outweighs the importance placed on leaders personally holding strong religious convictions or sharing the beliefs of their constituents.

The research, drawing on data collected between January 5 and May 22, 2024, encompassed a diverse range of nations across North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East-North Africa region, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. A total of 40,494 adults participated in the surveys, conducted via phone in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Face-to-face interviews were utilized in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey. Australia employed a mixed-mode probability-based online panel, while the United States included 12,693 respondents, with the majority sourced from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel.

The study highlights a nuanced perspective on the role of religion in leadership. While a leader’s personal faith is not necessarily a primary concern for many, the expectation that they will defend the religious freedoms of their citizens is prevalent. This suggests a broader emphasis on religious tolerance and the protection of diverse beliefs within a society.

Further analysis from Pew Research Center, published in January 2025, indicates that a 36-country median of 77% believe religion mostly helps society, with only 19% suggesting it mostly harms it. This positive outlook is particularly strong in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where over 90% of respondents in countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Tunisia expressed the belief that religion is a positive force.

The January 2025 report also explored perceptions of religion’s impact on tolerance and superstition. While most respondents view religion as encouraging tolerance, opinions are more divided regarding its influence on superstitious thinking. The study found that individuals in middle-income countries are more likely than those in high-income countries to consider it important for a leader to champion religious beliefs.

The research also touched upon the broader question of religious nationalism, examining levels across the 36 surveyed countries. The United States, by global standards, exhibits a relatively low level of religious nationalism, but stands out when compared to other high-income nations. The report delves into questions of whether religious texts should influence national laws and the role religion should play in countries with Muslim and Jewish majorities, offering a comprehensive overview of the intersection between faith, leadership, and national identity.

The findings underscore the complex relationship between religion and public life, revealing a global desire for leaders who respect and protect religious freedom, even if they do not necessarily share the same beliefs as their constituents. The data provides valuable insight into evolving attitudes towards religion and its role in shaping societies around the world.