The Pew Research Centre recently published a study revealing that people with right-wing views are more likely to choose a leader who shares their religious beliefs. According to the study, around 84% of the world’s population is affiliated with a certain religion, a number expected to grow to 87.6% by 2060. The study focused on 35 countries, showing that the religious orientation of political leaders plays a significant role in voter choices. Countries in Asia, such as Bangladesh and Indonesia, showed a strong link between religion and politics, with high rates of respondents preferring leaders who share their religious beliefs. However, similar trends were also observed in many European countries and the Middle East.
In Turkey, 69% of respondents believe that it is important for their leader to share their religious beliefs, while in Israel, the percentage is 55%. In Europe, the rates tend to be higher in the eastern countries, with Poland, Greece, and Hungary showing significant percentages of respondents preferring leaders with the same religious beliefs. On the other hand, western and northern European countries like the Netherlands, France, Spain, the UK, and Germany showed lower percentages of respondents caring about the religious orientation of their leaders. Italy, among Europe’s biggest economies, had the highest percentage of respondents who considered it important for their leader to share their religious beliefs, with 30% expressing this view.
Pew’s senior researcher Jonathan Evans highlighted that there is a divide between eastern and western Europe in terms of the importance of religious beliefs. People in eastern Europe are more likely to hold religious views, stating that religion plays a significant role in their lives. Evans also noted that individuals on the ideological right are more likely to consider religious beliefs and attributes of their leader as important. Right-wing voters are more inclined to desire leaders who share their religious beliefs or possess strong religious beliefs, even if they differ from their own. While this trend may not be consistent in every country, there is a general pattern indicating that right-wing individuals prioritize the religious orientation of their leaders.
The Pew study underlines a global trend where people’s religious identities and practices are closely tied to their political views and identities. This phenomenon is particularly evident in countries like the United States and elsewhere around the world. The research findings suggest that right-wing individuals are more inclined to make religion-oriented choices when selecting political leaders. Evans explained that this trend is more prevalent in eastern Europe, where people are more likely to emphasize the importance of religious beliefs. The study also highlighted that individuals on the right end of the political spectrum are more likely to prioritize the religious attributes and beliefs of their leaders compared to those on the left or the center.
The study’s findings shed light on the strong connection between religion and politics in various parts of the world. The preference for leaders who share the same religious beliefs is prevalent among right-wing voters, indicating a correlation between political ideology and religious orientation. Despite variations across different countries, the general trend suggests that individuals on the ideological right are more likely to prioritize religious beliefs when choosing leaders. This underscores the influence of religious identity on political decisions and highlights the significance of religious beliefs in shaping voter preferences. The study serves as a valuable insight into the intersection of religion and politics and its impact on leadership choices in different regions globally.
