Pew Research: Global Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage

In recent years, attitudes towards same-sex marriage have been a topic of global interest, with variations across different regions. A comprehensive analysis by the Pew Research Center sheds light on the diverse perspectives held by people around the world. Let's delve into the key findings and explore how attitudes differ across continents, demographics, political ideologies, religions, and over time.

Geographic Variations

1. Europe:

   • Staunch Support: Western European countries like Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, France, and Germany exhibit strong support, with at least 80% favoring same-sex marriage.

   • Varied Landscape: While Italy and the United Kingdom show considerable support, the majority of Greece, Hungary and Poland are opposed.

2. Americas:

   • North America: Canada leads with 79% support, followed by the U.S. and Mexico. Legalization has positively influenced public opinion.

   • South America: Argentina and Brazil display support, but the levels vary, showcasing regional distinctions.

3. Asia-Pacific:

   • Mixed Sentiments: Australia and Japan lead in support, yet Japan shows weaker backing. Taiwan, the only place where same-sex marriage is legal in Asia, demonstrates a divided opinion.

   • Varied Responses: Vietnam shows positive support (65%), while South Korea (41%) and Indonesia (5%) present contrasting attitudes.

4. Africa and Middle East:

   • Limited Support: South Africa stands out as the only African country where same-sex marriage is legal, but internal opposition persists with only 38% support. Nigeria (2%) and Kenya (9%) show minimal support.

   • Middle East: In Israel (36%), religious and political affiliations significantly shape opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage.

Demographic Factors

1. Age:

   • Global Trend: Younger adults, especially those under 35, tend to be more supportive of same-sex marriage. Taiwan highlights the largest age gap.

2. Gender:

   • Gender Disparities: Women, in 19 surveyed places, express higher support than men, emphasizing a consistent trend across countries.

3. Education and Income:

   • Educational Influence: Higher education correlates with increased support in 22 surveyed places, revealing a global pattern.

   • Income Disparities: In 10 places, those with higher incomes are more likely to support same-sex marriage.

Political Ideology

1. Left-Right Divide:

   • Ideological Influence: In 15 of 18 places, left-leaning individuals are significantly more supportive than their right-leaning counterparts. The U.S. displays a substantial ideological difference.

Religion

1. Religious Affiliation:

   • Influence on Views: Regions where religion holds greater importance tend to exhibit lower support. Nigeria, Indonesia, and Israel showcase this trend.

   • Affiliation Matters: Religiously unaffiliated individuals globally express higher support, with notable variations across countries.

The survey also found that support for same-sex marriage is generally higher in countries with higher levels of economic development and education. For example, in Sweden, where 92% of adults support same-sex marriage, 98% of adults have at least some secondary education and 79% have a college degree. In contrast, in Nigeria, where only 2% of adults support same-sex marriage, only 22% of adults have at least some secondary education and 3% have a college degree.

Changing Perspectives Over Time

While direct historical comparisons are challenging, a general trend across Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. suggests increasing support for same-sex marriage over the past decade.

The findings of the Pew Research Center survey highlight the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage around the world. However, there is still a long way to go before same-sex marriage is legal and accepted in all countries.