Full Breakdown
Pew Survey Shows China Overtakes U.S. in Global Favorability for First Time
7/15/2026, 10:18:56 PM
Survey Findings
A Pew Research Center poll of more than 42,000 adults in 36 nations conducted between February and May reveals that in 25 countries respondents hold a more favourable view of China than of the United States—the first such outcome since the centre began tracking super-power sentiment in 2002. Only six nations—Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan and Israel—still favour the United States. The study also shows low confidence in both leaders, with most scores below 50 %, though confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping exceeds that in U.S. President Donald Trump in the majority of surveyed nations.
Historical Context
Pew has recorded previous dips in U.S. favourability during the final year of George Bush’s administration (2008) and at the start of Trump’s first term (2017). Until this survey, Chinese favourability typically lagged behind or matched U.S. levels. The current swing follows a pattern of rising approval for China in middle-income countries and declining approval for the United States across wealthier nations.
Numbers & Findings
- 90 % of Pakistani respondents view China favourably, versus only 11 % of Japanese respondents.
- Confidence in Xi reaches 83 % in Pakistan and 7 % in Japan; confidence in Trump peaks at 68 % in the Philippines and falls to 4 % in the West Bank/East Jerusalem.
- A median of 75 % believe the United States interferes “a great deal or a fair amount” in other nations’ affairs, compared with 45 % for China.
- Record-high positive opinions for China appear in Italy, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey.
Official Statements & Responses
Jonathan Schulman, a researcher on the Pew study, noted that the data indicate “people don’t have that strong an opinion on Xi as they do for other leaders,” while respondents were “more likely to give an answer, and give an answer on the extremes” regarding Trump. He emphasized that the shift reflects broader trends rather than a sudden reversal of public opinion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “people don't have that strong an opinion on Xi as they do for other leaders” — Jonathan Schulman, Pew Research Center
- “people were more likely to give an answer, and give an answer on the extremes” — Jonathan Schulman, Pew Research Center
- “The survey also found that while more people still believed the US government respected its people's personal freedoms than China's government did, the gap had narrowed.” — Jonathan Schulman, Pew Research Center
- “The research centre found that in 25 of the 36 countries, there were more people who had favourable views of China than of the US.” — Jonathan Schulman, Pew Research Center
