Intent to get a COVID-19 vaccine rises to 60% as confidence in research and development process increases

The share of Americans who say they plan to get vaccinated against the coronavirus has increased as the public has grown more confident that the development process will deliver a safe and effective vaccine. Overall, six-in-ten Americans say they would definitely or probably get a vaccine if one were available today, up from 51% who said this in September. Yet 21% of U.S. adults do not intend to get vaccinated and are “pretty certain” more information will not change their mind.

• Divide over mask wearing, comfort with activities align with people’s degree of concern about getting a serious case of COVID-19
• Republicans and Democrats differ over outbreak’s threat to public health
• There are growing political divides over trust in scientists since the start of the coronavirus outbreak
• See all COVID-19 research

It’s not just 2020: U.S. presidential elections have long featured close state races

Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election was sealed by a string of close wins in several key states. Close state races, it turns out, are nothing new in U.S. presidential elections. Over the 50 presidential elections that have taken place since 1824, there have been 187 instances when a state was decided by less than 2 percentage points. That’s an average of 3.74 states with close races per election over the past nearly 200 years.

Iran widely criticized in 14 advanced economies

Iran’s nuclear program once again has become a focus of international tensions. In a survey of 14 advanced economies from this summer, a median of about seven-in-ten adults expressed unfavorable views of Iran, while only about two-in-ten held a favorable view. In each country surveyed, majorities had negative impressions of Iran.

Slim majorities have become more common in the U.S. Senate and House

The U.S. Senate will be closely divided next year, regardless of how two January runoff elections in Georgia turn out. And that is part of a long-running trend: Narrow partisan divides in the Senate and the House of Representatives have become more common in recent decades.

• Democrats more optimistic than Republicans that partisan relations in Washington will improve in 2021

Social trust in advanced economies is lower among young people and those with less education

NATO seen in a positive light by many across 10 member states

Prior to COVID-19, child poverty rates had reached record lows in U.S.

From our research