Full Breakdown
Americans Prioritize Staying Informed but Report Low Personal Knowledge, Pew Survey Shows
6/6/2026, 9:13:55 PM
Core Findings: Importance vs. Self-Reported Knowledge
A Pew Research Center survey of 1,031 U.S. adults (March 6-9, 2026) asked respondents how important it is for individuals to stay informed about 11 public-policy topics and how well-informed they feel themselves. Majorities consider staying informed “extremely or very important” for most issues: healthcare system (82 %), voting and election processes (82 %), presidential powers (80 %), immigration and citizenship policies (76 %), and economic and tax policies (75 %).
Self-assessment of knowledge lags behind importance ratings. Only 34 % say they are extremely or very informed about the healthcare system, 50 % about voting and elections, 36 % about presidential powers, 39 % about immigration, and 24 % about economic and tax policies. Similar gaps appear for social security (31 %), U.S. foreign policy (23 %), gun regulation (33 %), childhood vaccine policies (31 %), and federal regulation of technology and media companies (15 %).
Demographic Gaps: Age and Partisan Differences
Older adults are more likely than younger adults to view staying informed as important and to report higher personal knowledge across topics. Partisan patterns are modest but notable. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are more likely than Republicans and GOP-leaning independents to deem it extremely or very important to understand presidential powers (88 % vs. 74 %) and childhood vaccine policies (73 % vs. 65 %). Conversely, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they are highly informed about voting and election processes (54 % vs. 46 %), immigration policies (44 % vs. 35 %), and gun regulation (39 % vs. 26 %).
Primary Information Sources by Topic
Respondents identified their main source of information for each issue. Across topics, the news media is the leading source for the healthcare system (37 %), voting and elections (37 %), presidential powers (37 %), immigration (46 %), economic and tax policies (44 %), foreign policy (51 %), gun regulation (40 %), childhood vaccine policies (36 %), technology regulation (44 %), and marijuana regulation (42 %). Government sources rank highest for social security (31 %) and tie for voting (21 %). Social media is the primary source for younger adults and accounts for 19 % of respondents’ main source on immigration, 13 % on foreign policy, and 16 % on marijuana regulation. Friends, family, or acquaintances are cited as the main source by 13-14 % for several topics. Formal education is the top source for only 18 % of respondents regarding presidential powers.
Official Statements & Responses
Pew Research Center notes that the survey employed a multimode (web and phone) probability-based panel recruited through random sampling of residential addresses. Data were weighted to represent U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The Center describes the analysis as building on its ongoing research into news consumption and civic knowledge.
Why It Matters / Impact
The gap between perceived importance and self-reported knowledge suggests a potential shortfall in public understanding of key policy areas. Reliance on diverse information channels—particularly news media and government sources—highlights the role of these institutions in shaping civic awareness. Age and partisan differences may influence how information is sought and trusted, affecting democratic participation.
What’s Next
Pew Research Center plans to continue tracking Americans’ news habits and perceived knowledge in future surveys, aiming to inform media-literacy initiatives and public-policy communication strategies.
