An overwhelming majority of people from 34 countries surveyed by Pew Research Center say it’s important for women to have the same rights as men.
The poll released Thursday surveyed 38,426 people in 34 different countries between May 13 and Oct. 2, 2019.
Poll results indicate:
- 94% of people think it is important for women in their country to have the same rights as men
- 74% of people say it is very important for women to have the same rights as men
- 81% believe women have equal access to a good education
- 63% say men and women have equal opportunities to express political opinions.
While most countries agree gender equality is important, the U.S. is the only country surveyed where men (93%) were more likely than women (89%) to say gender equality is important, according to results.
Countries vary on whether men or women have better lives. Majorities of people surveyed in France, Sweden and the U.S. say men have it better than women. But in other countries like Poland, Russia, Nigeria and India they say men and women have equally good lives.
Majorities in most European countries surveyed, as well as in Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, Canada and the U.S., say men have more opportunities than women when it comes to getting high-paying jobs. An average of people polled show 54% say men have more access to higher-paid jobs.
There also are split responses on whether men should have greater access to scarce jobs. People who responded from the Middle East, Africa and Asian-Pacific regions said men should have preferential treatment during a job shortage. Just 13% of Americans feel that men should be favored for a job.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.