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The Public Mind

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    Chapter 1.3

    Left and right across countries

    The attitude that left-right self-placement follows most closely differs by country, and across countries surveyed in 2005 or later the median correlation on each of three attitudes lies between +0.07 and +0.09.

    Affiliation
    NYU Stern
    Published

    Among respondents in Sweden, where people put themselves on a ten-point scale from left to right goes with their economic views and shows no detectable link with religion. In the World Values Survey and European Values Study waves fielded there between 2006 and 2017, pooled, the correlationCorrelationA number from minus 1 to plus 1 for how closely two measures move together in a straight-line pattern. Zero means no straight-line pattern; a correlation does not say that one measure causes the other. between self-placement and an index of economic attitudes is +0.59+0.59 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with the economic index (higher = economic right)Interval95% CI 0.57 to 0.61n4,213Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Sweden with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS on a scale from minus one to plus one. The correlation with how important God is in the respondent's life is +0.03 (95% CI −0.01 to 0.06)+0.03 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with importance of God (higher = more religious)Interval95% CI −0.01 to 0.06n4,155Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Sweden with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2006, 2009, 2011, 2017, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS, an interval that includes zero. Among respondents in Spain, in the waves fielded between 2007 and 2017, the order reverses. The correlation with the importance of God is +0.36+0.36 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with importance of God (higher = more religious)Interval95% CI 0.33 to 0.39n4,244Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Spain with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2007, 2008, 2011, 2017, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS, and the economic one is lower. The same label attaches to economic attitudes in one country and to religion in the other.

    The leading attitude differs by country

    This chapter takes the left-right questionLeft-right self-placementA survey question that asks people to place themselves on a scale from left to right. The scale is the same for everyone, but the meaning attached to left and right differs across people, countries and years. from the two surveys, pooling each country's waves with fieldwork in 2005 or later, and sets it against three attitudes. Each attitude is an axis. The economic index is built from questions on income differences, government responsibility, state ownership and competition. The moral index is built from how justifiable homosexuality, abortion and divorce are, and the third axis is the importance of God. The loadingLoadingThe correlation, inside one country, between a survey scale such as left-right self-placement and an attitude. A loading of zero means the attitude says nothing about where people place themselves, and a positive loading means people who hold it place themselves further right. of an axis is its correlation with left-right inside one country, computed on weightedSurvey weightsNumbers that scale each respondent so the sample matches the population on known traits such as age, race, education and region. A weighted average counts a respondent with a large weight for more than one with a small weight. answers. A positive loading means that people on the market-oriented, morally conservative or religious side place themselves further right on average. The chapter works in two steps. The first is within a country, where a loading is an association between two answers given by the same people. The second is across countries, which are compared by their loadings. A loading blends the years of the pooled waves, and the axes rest on different numbers of items. The four economic items agree with one another only weakly, with a median pairwise correlation of +0.06+0.06 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandmedian across countries of the mean pairwise correlation among the four economic items after orientationWeightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents within a country, median across countriesPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS across countries, while the three moral items agree more closely. A lead therefore compares loadings from measures of unequal quality.

    Across the 104104 countries and territoriesEstimandcount of countries with an effective sample of 300 or more on at least one axisWeightsnone (count)Populationcountries with at least one usable loadingPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS countries and territories with enough respondents for at least one loading, one attitude leads clearly in 5151 countries and territoriesEstimandcount of countries where the lower bound of the leading loading exceeds the other axes point estimatesWeightsnone (count)Populationcountries where an axis has an interval above zeroPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS. A lead is clear when the lower end of the leading loading's intervalConfidence intervalA range around an estimate that would contain the true value in 95% of repeated samples if the sampling model held. The book reports 95% intervals unless it says otherwise. lies above the point estimates of the other two. Otherwise the order of the top two could change in a new sample. Economic attitudes lead clearly in 2929 countries and territoriesEstimandcount of countries where the economic axis leads and the lead is clear (the lower bound of its interval exceeds the other axes point estimates)Weightsnone (count)Populationcountries with at least one usable loadingPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS countries, religion in 1616 countries and territoriesEstimandcount of countries where the religious axis leads and the lead is clear (the lower bound of its interval exceeds the other axes point estimates)Weightsnone (count)Populationcountries with at least one usable loadingPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS and moral attitudes in 66 countries and territoriesEstimandcount of countries where the moral axis leads and the lead is clear (the lower bound of its interval exceeds the other axes point estimates)Weightsnone (count)Populationcountries with at least one usable loadingPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS. In the rest, one attitude has the largest loading but its lead is not clear, or none of the three has an interval above zero.

    Figure 1

    One attitude clearly leads in 51 of 104 countries, most often economic attitudes

    Axis with the largest correlation with left-right self-placement among the axes whose 95% interval is above zero, shown where the lead is clear, by country, fieldwork 2005-2023

    Axis with a clear lead

    No data (138 countries)

    Select a class to show only those places.

    Hover or tap a country for its value, or search by name. Zoom with the buttons on the map, then drag to move it.

    • Dots mark countries too small to fill at this scale.
    Show data
    Data for One attitude clearly leads in 51 of 104 countries, most often economic attitudes
    CountryViewAxis with the largest loadingStatus of the leadAxis with a clear leadEconomic loadingMoral loadingReligious loadingLoadingInterval lowInterval highRespondents
    AlbaniastrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.01+0.02+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    AlgeriastrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.08−0.09−0.02n/an/an/an/a
    AndorrastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.22+0.21+0.22n/an/an/an/a
    ArgentinastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.18+0.16+0.22n/an/an/an/a
    ArmeniastrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.05+0.03+0.04n/an/an/an/a
    AustraliastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.33+0.22+0.20n/an/an/an/a
    AustriastrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.21+0.19+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    AzerbaijanstrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.06−0.03+0.04n/an/an/an/a
    BangladeshstrongestMoralClearMoral−0.01+0.17+0.01n/an/an/an/a
    BelarusstrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.02−0.01+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    BelgiumstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.25+0.08+0.12n/an/an/an/a
    BoliviastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.040.00+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    Bosnia HerzegovinastrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.03+0.13+0.19n/an/an/an/a
    BrazilstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.07+0.09+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    BulgariastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.25−0.08+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    Burkina FasostrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.02−0.09−0.04n/an/an/an/a
    CanadastrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.29+0.29+0.25n/an/an/an/a
    ChilestrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.26+0.14+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    ColombiastrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.04+0.14+0.12n/an/an/an/a
    CroatiastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.02+0.33+0.36n/an/an/an/a
    CyprusstrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead0.00+0.09+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    CzechiastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.37−0.11+0.01n/an/an/an/a
    DenmarkstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.46+0.12+0.06n/an/an/an/a
    EcuadorstrongestReligiousClearReligious0.00−0.04+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    EgyptstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.18n/a0.00n/an/an/an/a
    EstoniastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.26−0.03−0.06n/an/an/an/a
    EthiopiastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.23−0.11+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    FinlandstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.44+0.16+0.19n/an/an/an/a
    FrancestrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.34+0.19+0.18n/an/an/an/a
    GeorgiastrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.03+0.06+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    GermanystrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.19+0.16+0.14n/an/an/an/a
    GhanastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.25−0.08+0.03n/an/an/an/a
    GreecestrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.19+0.29+0.29n/an/an/an/a
    GuatemalastrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.04+0.06+0.06n/an/an/an/a
    HaitistrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.03+0.02+0.01n/an/an/an/a
    Hong Kong SARstrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.01−0.06+0.06n/an/an/an/a
    HungarystrongestReligiousClearReligious0.00+0.09+0.15n/an/an/an/a
    IcelandstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.50+0.16+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    IndiastrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.060.00+0.12n/an/an/an/a
    IndonesiastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.04−0.02+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    IraqstrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.01+0.13+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    IrelandstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.07+0.22+0.22n/an/an/an/a
    ItalystrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.24+0.17+0.19n/an/an/an/a
    JapanstrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.10+0.14+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    KazakhstanstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.10+0.04+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    KenyastrongestMoralClearMoral−0.10+0.10−0.04n/an/an/an/a
    KosovostrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead+0.03−0.02−0.06n/an/an/an/a
    KyrgyzstanstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.11+0.18+0.18n/an/an/an/a
    LatviastrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.07+0.02+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    LebanonstrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.030.00+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    LibyastrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.010.00+0.03n/an/an/an/a
    LithuaniastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.10+0.04+0.12n/an/an/an/a
    LuxembourgstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.16+0.23+0.27n/an/an/an/a
    Macau SARstrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.01+0.02+0.06n/an/an/an/a
    MalaysiastrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.03+0.09+0.15n/an/an/an/a
    MaldivesstrongestMoralClearMoral+0.02+0.17+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    MalistrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead+0.02+0.02+0.01n/an/an/an/a
    MaltastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.26+0.16+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    MexicostrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.02+0.06+0.10n/an/an/an/a
    MoldovastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.10−0.02+0.05n/an/an/an/a
    MongoliastrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.16+0.01+0.20n/an/an/an/a
    MontenegrostrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead−0.04+0.09+0.15n/an/an/an/a
    MoroccostrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.09+0.03+0.04n/an/an/an/a
    NetherlandsstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.39+0.16+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    New ZealandstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.46+0.19+0.13n/an/an/an/a
    NicaraguastrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.07−0.06+0.02n/an/an/an/a
    NigeriastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead0.000.00+0.04n/an/an/an/a
    North MacedoniastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.02+0.07+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    NorwaystrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.45+0.12+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    PakistanstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.15+0.15+0.17n/an/an/an/a
    PalestinestrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead−0.03+0.09+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    PerustrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.07−0.02+0.08n/an/an/an/a
    PhilippinesstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.040.00+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    PolandstrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead0.00+0.28+0.28n/an/an/an/a
    PortugalstrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.12+0.04+0.15n/an/an/an/a
    Puerto RicostrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.11+0.11+0.03n/an/an/an/a
    RomaniastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.11−0.06+0.01n/an/an/an/a
    RussiastrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.06−0.01+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    RwandastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.110.000.00n/an/an/an/a
    SerbiastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.01+0.07+0.08n/an/an/an/a
    SingaporestrongestMoralClearMoral−0.04+0.18+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    SlovakiastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.12−0.04−0.01n/an/an/an/a
    SloveniastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead−0.03+0.30+0.33n/an/an/an/a
    South AfricastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.05−0.07+0.07n/an/an/an/a
    South KoreastrongestMoralClearMoral+0.02+0.20+0.06n/an/an/an/a
    SpainstrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.20+0.32+0.36n/an/an/an/a
    SwedenstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.59+0.05+0.03n/an/an/an/a
    SwitzerlandstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.34+0.20+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    Taiwan ROCstrongestMoralClearMoral−0.09+0.12+0.02n/an/an/an/a
    TajikistanstrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.11−0.03+0.27n/an/an/an/a
    ThailandstrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.04−0.04+0.02n/an/an/an/a
    Trinidad and TobagostrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead+0.04−0.02+0.02n/an/an/an/a
    TunisiastrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead−0.03+0.09+0.11n/an/an/an/a
    TurkeystrongestReligiousClearReligious+0.08+0.19+0.21n/an/an/an/a
    UkrainestrongestReligiousNot clearNo clear lead+0.08+0.01+0.10n/an/an/an/a
    United KingdomstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.36+0.17+0.12n/an/an/an/a
    United StatesstrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.41+0.37+0.28n/an/an/an/a
    UruguaystrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.21+0.19+0.20n/an/an/an/a
    UzbekistanstrongestReligiousClearReligious−0.13−0.01+0.19n/an/an/an/a
    VenezuelastrongestEconomicClearEconomic+0.24+0.02−0.04n/an/an/an/a
    VietnamstrongestMoralNot clearNo clear lead+0.10+0.13+0.09n/an/an/an/a
    ZambiastrongestEconomicNot clearNo clear lead+0.08+0.03−0.02n/an/an/an/a
    ZimbabwestrongestNo axis above zeroNo axis above zeroNo clear lead−0.08−0.02−0.04n/an/an/an/a
    Albaniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.04+0.062,211
    Algeriaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.08−0.16+0.01532
    Andorraeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.17+0.261,822
    Argentinaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.14+0.232,293
    Armeniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.02+0.093,788
    Australiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.33+0.30+0.364,426
    Austriaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.21+0.17+0.252,705
    Azerbaijaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.10−0.012,158
    Bangladesheconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.06+0.051,200
    Belaruseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.02+0.053,213
    Belgiumeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.25+0.20+0.301,414
    Boliviaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.091,778
    Bosnia Herzegovinaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.07+0.022,298
    Brazileconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.04+0.103,642
    Bulgariaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.25+0.21+0.292,773
    Burkina Fasoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.08+0.041,058
    Canadaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.29+0.26+0.325,629
    Chileeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.26+0.21+0.312,103
    Colombiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04+0.01+0.075,016
    Croatiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.072,352
    Cypruseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.043,266
    Czechiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.37+0.35+0.403,991
    Denmarkeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.46+0.43+0.494,679
    Ecuadoreconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.042,238
    Egypteconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.15+0.224,238
    Estoniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.26+0.23+0.293,302
    Ethiopiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.23+0.19+0.281,917
    Finlandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.44+0.40+0.472,932
    Franceeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.34+0.31+0.373,827
    Georgiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.030.00+0.074,227
    Germanyeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.17+0.228,683
    Ghanaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.25+0.21+0.302,333
    Greeceeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.242,184
    Guatemalaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.101,213
    Haitieconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.07+0.021,944
    Hong Kong SAReconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.05+0.023,946
    Hungaryeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.033,447
    Icelandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.50+0.46+0.532,307
    Indiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.03+0.095,436
    Indonesiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.074,061
    Iraqeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.06+0.07975
    Irelandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07−0.01+0.15687
    Italyeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.24+0.21+0.273,509
    Japaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.07+0.143,446
    Kazakhstaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.05+0.151,500
    Kenyaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.10−0.15−0.041,161
    Kosovoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.05+0.11654
    Kyrgyzstaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.06+0.161,461
    Latviaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.02+0.112,056
    Lebanoneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.10+0.04834
    Libyaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.06+0.042,447
    Lithuaniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.05+0.151,871
    Luxembourgeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.10+0.221,257
    Macau SAReconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.07+0.05995
    Malaysiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.07+0.012,613
    Maldiveseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.04+0.081,023
    Malieconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.04+0.081,147
    Maltaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.26+0.19+0.33750
    Mexicoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.01+0.044,752
    Moldovaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.05+0.151,651
    Mongoliaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.16−0.20−0.101,613
    Montenegroeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.10+0.021,250
    Moroccoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.05+0.141,909
    Netherlandseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.39+0.37+0.417,741
    New Zealandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.46+0.42+0.501,372
    Nicaraguaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.07−0.130.00871
    Nigeriaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.042,927
    North Macedoniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.071,759
    Norwayeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.45+0.42+0.483,148
    Pakistaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.09+0.201,200
    Palestineeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.10+0.05727
    Perueconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.03+0.103,280
    Philippineseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.092,389
    Polandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.03+0.033,718
    Portugaleconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.06+0.171,895
    Puerto Ricoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.05+0.171,047
    Romaniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.08+0.144,705
    Russiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.03+0.104,564
    Rwandaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.07+0.152,552
    Serbiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.03+0.043,746
    Singaporeeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.090.001,743
    Slovakiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.09+0.163,336
    Sloveniaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.070.003,138
    South Africaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.01+0.085,541
    South Koreaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.02+0.073,637
    Spaineconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.17+0.234,200
    Swedeneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.59+0.57+0.614,213
    Switzerlandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.34+0.32+0.375,154
    Taiwan ROCeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.09−0.13−0.063,554
    Tajikistaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.05+0.171,200
    Thailandeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.073,758
    Trinidad and Tobagoeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.101,211
    Tunisiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.08+0.021,682
    Turkeyeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.05+0.106,325
    Ukraineeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.03+0.124,667
    United Kingdomeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.36+0.34+0.396,124
    United Stateseconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.41+0.38+0.445,866
    Uruguayeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.21+0.17+0.252,571
    Uzbekistaneconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.13−0.21−0.05591
    Venezuelaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.24+0.19+0.301,190
    Vietnameconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.05+0.161,376
    Zambiaeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.01+0.14948
    Zimbabweeconomicn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.08−0.13−0.042,627
    Albaniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.062,220
    Algeriamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.09−0.170.00521
    Andorramoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.21+0.16+0.251,821
    Argentinamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.12+0.212,240
    Armeniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.01+0.063,780
    Australiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.18+0.254,430
    Austriamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.232,681
    Azerbaijanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.08+0.022,138
    Bangladeshmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.17+0.11+0.221,200
    Belarusmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.05+0.023,202
    Belgiummoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.02+0.131,419
    Boliviamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.05+0.051,780
    Bosnia Herzegovinamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.08+0.172,285
    Brazilmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.06+0.123,624
    Bulgariamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.08−0.12−0.042,709
    Burkina Fasomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.09−0.15−0.031,084
    Canadamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.29+0.26+0.325,604
    Chilemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.14+0.08+0.192,077
    Colombiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.14+0.11+0.165,015
    Croatiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.33+0.29+0.372,358
    Cyprusmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.05+0.133,262
    Czechiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.11−0.14−0.073,909
    Denmarkmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.09+0.164,701
    Ecuadormoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.080.002,235
    Estoniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.07+0.013,240
    Ethiopiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.11−0.15−0.061,902
    Finlandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.12+0.202,910
    Francemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.223,818
    Georgiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.03+0.094,271
    Germanymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.13+0.188,668
    Ghanamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.08−0.13−0.042,324
    Greecemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.29+0.25+0.332,188
    Guatemalamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.01+0.121,213
    Haitimoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.061,932
    Hong Kong SARmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.09−0.023,955
    Hungarymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.06+0.123,448
    Icelandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.11+0.202,306
    Indiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.02+0.035,618
    Indonesiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.06+0.024,086
    Iraqmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.07+0.19968
    Irelandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.14+0.30665
    Italymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.17+0.14+0.213,452
    Japanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.14+0.11+0.173,354
    Kazakhstanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.091,500
    Kenyamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.05+0.161,127
    Kosovomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.10+0.06655
    Kyrgyzstanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.13+0.231,459
    Latviamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.062,028
    Lebanonmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.07+0.07837
    Libyamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.05+0.042,514
    Lithuaniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.081,829
    Luxembourgmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.23+0.17+0.291,254
    Macau SARmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.04+0.08997
    Malaysiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.05+0.122,613
    Maldivesmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.17+0.11+0.231,023
    Malimoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.04+0.081,081
    Maltamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.09+0.24751
    Mexicomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.03+0.084,734
    Moldovamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.07+0.031,638
    Mongoliamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.04+0.061,613
    Montenegromoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.03+0.151,250
    Moroccomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.01+0.081,904
    Netherlandsmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.16+0.13+0.187,801
    New Zealandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.14+0.241,352
    Nicaraguamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.12+0.01871
    Nigeriamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.052,928
    North Macedoniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.02+0.121,763
    Norwaymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.09+0.163,142
    Pakistanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.09+0.211,200
    Palestinemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.02+0.16725
    Perumoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.06+0.022,183
    Philippinesmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.052,389
    Polandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.28+0.25+0.313,646
    Portugalmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.101,915
    Puerto Ricomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.05+0.171,049
    Romaniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.09−0.034,615
    Russiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.04+0.034,507
    Rwandamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.032,554
    Serbiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.03+0.113,654
    Singaporemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.13+0.221,737
    Slovakiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.080.003,260
    Sloveniamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.30+0.26+0.333,127
    South Africamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.07−0.10−0.035,512
    South Koreamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.16+0.243,637
    Spainmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.32+0.30+0.354,220
    Swedenmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.02+0.084,155
    Switzerlandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.17+0.235,159
    Taiwan ROCmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.08+0.153,536
    Tajikistanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.03−0.09+0.031,200
    Thailandmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.07−0.013,751
    Trinidad and Tobagomoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.07+0.041,206
    Tunisiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.04+0.131,696
    Turkeymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.16+0.216,427
    Ukrainemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.03+0.064,550
    United Kingdommoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.17+0.14+0.206,116
    United Statesmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.37+0.34+0.405,823
    Uruguaymoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.232,600
    Uzbekistanmoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.09+0.07615
    Venezuelamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.03+0.081,190
    Vietnammoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.08+0.181,381
    Zambiamoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.03+0.10945
    Zimbabwemoraln/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.07+0.022,626
    Albaniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.09+0.182,209
    Algeriareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.11+0.06536
    Andorrareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.17+0.261,813
    Argentinareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.18+0.262,326
    Armeniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.083,758
    Australiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.16+0.234,456
    Austriareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.09+0.172,710
    Azerbaijanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.092,152
    Bangladeshreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.05+0.061,200
    Belarusreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.04+0.113,186
    Belgiumreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.07+0.171,421
    Boliviareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.01+0.101,803
    Bosnia Herzegovinareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.232,269
    Brazilreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.06+0.123,673
    Bulgariareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.01+0.092,670
    Burkina Fasoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.09+0.021,109
    Canadareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.25+0.22+0.285,628
    Chilereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.04+0.152,085
    Colombiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.09+0.145,005
    Croatiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.36+0.32+0.402,354
    Cyprusreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.04+0.113,279
    Czechiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.02+0.053,856
    Denmarkreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.03+0.104,678
    Ecuadorreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.01+0.092,243
    Egyptreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.042,721
    Estoniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.10−0.033,216
    Ethiopiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.07+0.161,914
    Finlandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.15+0.232,897
    Francereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.15+0.223,845
    Georgiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.02+0.084,283
    Germanyreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.14+0.11+0.168,654
    Ghanareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.02+0.072,330
    Greecereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.29+0.25+0.332,118
    Guatemalareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.060.00+0.111,211
    Haitireligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.03+0.051,929
    Hong Kong SARreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.02+0.093,801
    Hungaryreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.12+0.193,432
    Icelandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.08+0.172,299
    Indiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.10+0.155,785
    Indonesiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.03+0.104,082
    Iraqreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.01+0.13978
    Irelandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.22+0.14+0.29682
    Italyreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.16+0.233,515
    Japanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.10+0.163,386
    Kazakhstanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.06+0.161,500
    Kenyareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.10+0.021,160
    Kosovoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.06−0.13+0.02650
    Kyrgyzstanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.18+0.13+0.231,458
    Latviareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.05+0.01+0.102,033
    Lebanonreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.04+0.17834
    Libyareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.02+0.082,594
    Lithuaniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.07+0.161,812
    Luxembourgreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.27+0.21+0.331,261
    Macau SARreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06−0.01+0.12996
    Malaysiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.11+0.182,613
    Maldivesreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.03+0.151,023
    Malireligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.04+0.071,140
    Maltareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07−0.01+0.15770
    Mexicoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.07+0.134,781
    Moldovareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.050.00+0.101,657
    Mongoliareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.15+0.251,611
    Montenegroreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.09+0.211,218
    Moroccoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.04−0.01+0.081,914
    Netherlandsreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.10+0.157,785
    New Zealandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.13+0.08+0.181,361
    Nicaraguareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.05+0.08871
    Nigeriareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.040.00+0.082,929
    North Macedoniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.04+0.141,729
    Norwayreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.06+0.133,144
    Pakistanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.17+0.11+0.221,200
    Palestinereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.02+0.16728
    Perureligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.04+0.113,339
    Philippinesreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.03+0.122,388
    Polandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.28+0.25+0.313,703
    Portugalreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.15+0.09+0.201,954
    Puerto Ricoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.03+0.091,042
    Romaniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.01−0.02+0.044,728
    Russiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.07+0.144,411
    Rwandareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a0.00−0.04+0.042,554
    Serbiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.08+0.04+0.123,715
    Singaporereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.06+0.151,740
    Slovakiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.01−0.05+0.033,257
    Sloveniareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.33+0.30+0.363,098
    South Africareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.07+0.04+0.115,568
    South Koreareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.06+0.02+0.103,631
    Spainreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.36+0.33+0.394,244
    Swedenreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.03−0.01+0.064,155
    Switzerlandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.07+0.125,138
    Taiwan ROCreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.02+0.053,561
    Tajikistanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.27+0.22+0.321,200
    Thailandreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.02+0.053,656
    Trinidad and Tobagoreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.02−0.04+0.081,210
    Tunisiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.11+0.07+0.161,681
    Turkeyreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.21+0.19+0.246,438
    Ukrainereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.10+0.06+0.154,601
    United Kingdomreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.12+0.09+0.156,155
    United Statesreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.28+0.25+0.315,858
    Uruguayreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.20+0.16+0.242,586
    Uzbekistanreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.19+0.11+0.27615
    Venezuelareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.09+0.021,190
    Vietnamreligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a+0.09+0.03+0.141,373
    Zambiareligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.02−0.08+0.04946
    Zimbabwereligiousn/an/an/an/an/an/a−0.04−0.090.002,627

    Look for the economic color over the United States, Australia, the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The religious color covers Spain, Turkey, Russia, Mexico and India, and the moral color South Korea. A country is colored only when its lead is clear, and a grey country has a leader whose lead is not clear or no attitude with an interval above zero. The other views shade the largest loading whether or not the lead is clear, and each loading on its own. Values in Table 1.

    Note: Northern Ireland shares the United Kingdom outline and is left off the map, but it is counted in the totals (its largest loading is on the economic axis and the lead is not clear). Jordan, Northern Cyprus and Yemen have too few effective respondents for a stable estimate and draw as no data.Note: The classification uses point estimates and compares axes measured with different numbers of items, so a lead compares loadings of unequal reliability.Note: In the loading views, loadings beyond the ends of the scale draw in the end class, and the key says so.Source: World Values Survey and European Values Study, fieldwork 2005-2023; weighted (weight, S017 within each country); countries with an effective sample of 300 or more

    Canada, Portugal, Greece, Brazil, Poland and Japan each have a leader whose lead is not clear. Earlier work on Western Europe found that the label tracked both religious-secular values and economic left-right values [1]. The moral and religious loadings resemble each other across countries, so a country with a high loading on one usually has a high loading on the other, while the economic index is a separate matter. A cross-national study of survey data from many nations likewise found that economically and culturally right-wing attitudes seldom line up as one right-left dimension [2]. Chapter 1.2, Economic and cultural dimensions looks at the two dimensions inside the United States.

    Two surveys, pooled waves and a floor on the sample

    The estimates come from respondents who answered the left-right question in any World Values Survey or European Values Study wave with fieldwork in 2005 or later, about 290,000288,980 respondentsEstimandcount of respondents behind the estimatesWeightsnone (count)Populationrespondents with a left-right answer and a positive weight in the countries with a usable loadingPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS respondents in all. Each loading uses the survey's own weight inside the country, and across countries every country counts once. A country enters an axis only when its effective sample sizeEffective sample sizeThe number of equally weighted respondents that would give the same precision as the weighted sample. It is smaller than the raw count when the weights vary a lot, and it sets how wide the confidence interval is., the number of equally weighted respondents that would give the same precision, is 300300 respondents (Kish effective sample size)Estimandminimum effective sample for a country to appearWeightsnone (constant)Populationcountry-axis cellsPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS or more. The intervals treat each weighted sample as a simple random sample. They ignore clusteringClustered standard errorsStandard errors that allow answers within the same group, such as the same county or the same week, to be related. They are wider than ordinary errors when members of a group resemble each other. in the sample design, the tendency of answers from the same place to resemble one another, which can raise or lower the variance of a correlation. The report gives a sensitivity check under an assumed design effect. The report gives every estimate with its interval and sample size.

    Czechia and Poland follow different patterns

    Figure 2 shows the three loadings and their intervals for Sweden, Czechia, the United States, Poland, Spain and India. Czechia shares Sweden's pattern, with an economic loading of +0.37 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.40)+0.37 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with the economic index (higher = economic right)Interval95% CI 0.35 to 0.40n3,991Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Czechia with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2008, 2017, 2022, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS and a religious interval that includes zero, and it adds a reversal. Its moral loading is −0.11 (95% CI −0.14 to −0.07)−0.11 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with the moral index (higher = morally conservative)Interval95% CI −0.14 to −0.07n3,909Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Czechia with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2008, 2017, 2022, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS, an interval that lies wholly below zero, so Czechs who take the conservative side on homosexuality, abortion and divorce place themselves further left on average than other Czechs do. In Poland the pattern runs the other way. The economic loading is 0.00 (95% CI −0.03 to 0.03)0.00 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandweighted correlation of left-right with the economic index (higher = economic right)Interval95% CI −0.03 to 0.03n3,718Weightsweight (S017) within the countryPopulationrespondents in Poland with a left-right answerPeriodfieldwork 2005, 2008, 2012, 2017, waves pooledSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS, an interval that includes zero, while the moral and religious loadings are both above zero, and the map leaves Poland grey because neither of the two leads clearly. In the United States all three loadings are positive, and in India all three are small.

    Figure 2

    Left-right follows economic attitudes in Sweden and Czechia, and religion and moral attitudes in Poland and Spain

    Weighted correlation between left-right self-placement (1 to 10, 10 = right) and the axis, within country; 95% intervals; six countries; fieldwork 2005-2023

    • Economic
    • Moral
    • Religious

    Sweden

    Czechia

    United States

    Poland

    Spain

    India

    Loading: correlation of left-right with the axis

    Show data
    Data for Left-right follows economic attitudes in Sweden and Czechia, and religion and moral attitudes in Poland and Spain
    axisconf_highconf_lowcountryestimaten
    Economic0.6120.569Sweden0.5914,213
    Moral0.0820.016Sweden0.0494,155
    Religious0.059−0.007Sweden0.0264,155
    Economic0.4020.345Czechia0.3743,991
    Moral−0.073−0.139Czechia−0.1063,909
    Religious0.048−0.020Czechia0.0143,856
    Economic0.4370.385United States0.4115,866
    Moral0.3970.342United States0.3705,823
    Religious0.3130.254United States0.2845,858
    Economic0.033−0.034Poland0.0003,718
    Moral0.3150.253Poland0.2843,646
    Religious0.3110.249Poland0.2803,703
    Economic0.2250.166Spain0.1964,200
    Moral0.3510.296Spain0.3234,220
    Religious0.3860.333Spain0.3604,244
    Economic0.0850.031India0.0585,436
    Moral0.030−0.023India0.0035,618
    Religious0.1500.099India0.1255,785

    In the Sweden and Czechia panels the economic dot sits to the right of the other two, and the religious dot's interval crosses zero. In the Poland panel the economic dot's interval crosses zero and the moral and religious dots sit to the right. Czechia's moral dot is the one dot whose interval lies wholly to the left of zero. Each panel is one country, each dot is a loading and each line is its 95% interval. Values in Table 2.

    Source: World Values Survey and European Values Study, fieldwork 2005-2023; weighted (weight, S017 within each country); countries with an effective sample of 300 or more

    Poland and Czechia are both post-communist and differ from each other, so the region is not uniform on this scale. One account holds that economic left and right meant something different in post-communist party systems, where left-wing governments were the ones to cut spending [3]. A comparison of European countries found that basic personal values explained left-right orientation poorly in post-communist countries [4]. This chapter tests neither account, and Companion 1.3a, Basic values and left-right takes up the values.

    Loadings rise with human development

    Most loadings are small (Table 4). Across countries the median lies between +0.07+0.07 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandmedian across countries of the economic loading (bootstrap over countries)Interval95% CI 0.04 to 0.10n104Weightsweight (S017) within each country; every country counted once across countriesPopulationcountries with an effective sample of 300 or morePeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS for economic attitudes and +0.09+0.09 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandmedian across countries of the religious loading (bootstrap over countries)Interval95% CI 0.07 to 0.11n104Weightsweight (S017) within each country; every country counted once across countriesPopulationcountries with an effective sample of 300 or morePeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS for religion. Intervals below zero, like Czechia's moral one, are rare. Loadings are higher where human development is higher. Figure 3 plots each country's loading against its Human Development IndexHuman Development IndexA country score from 0 to 1 that combines life expectancy, years of schooling and income per person, published by the United Nations Development Programme. Higher scores mean higher human development. (HDI), a score that combines life expectancy, schooling and income. It marks the median loading in each third of countries by HDI. The economic loading has a median of +0.04+0.04 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandmedian across countries of the economic loading (bootstrap over countries)Interval95% CI 0.00 to 0.07n34Weightsweight (S017) within each country; every country counted once across countriesPopulationthe lowest third by human development index of the countries with a usable loading and a human development indexPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS in the lowest third of countries by HDI and +0.26+0.26 correlation coefficient (loading), from −1 to +1Estimandmedian across countries of the economic loading (bootstrap over countries)Interval95% CI 0.19 to 0.34n32Weightsweight (S017) within each country; every country counted once across countriesPopulationthe highest third by human development index of the countries with a usable loading and a human development indexPeriodfieldwork 2005 or laterSourceWorld Values Survey and EVS in the highest third. The moral loading also rises mostly in the top third, while the religious loading rises from the lowest third through the middle to the highest. The correlation between HDI and the loading across countries is positive on all three axes. The comparison is a cross-section of countries, so it cannot say whether development changes what the scale means or whether HDI stands in for party systems, education or the age of the democracy. The pattern reappears in the European Social Survey, which asks its own left-right question of separate samples in many of the same countries. On the economic axis the two projects agree on the order of the countries and not on the size of the loading.

    Figure 3

    Loadings on all three axes are higher in countries with higher human development

    Country loading of left-right self-placement (correlation) against the Human Development Index, countries with both, fieldwork 2005-2023

    Show data
    Data for Loadings on all three axes are higher in countries with higher human development
    axisconf_highconf_lowcountryestimatehdinregion
    economic0.059−0.036Albania0.0120.7852,211Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.006−0.163Algeria−0.0790.754532Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.2610.169Andorra0.2150.8581,822Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2280.140Argentina0.1850.8252,293Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.0910.017Armenia0.0540.7553,788Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3630.299Australia0.3320.9394,426East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.2510.173Austria0.2120.9082,705Europe & Central Asia
    economic−0.009−0.102Azerbaijan−0.0560.7572,158Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.049−0.065Bangladesh−0.0080.6081,200South Asia
    economic0.051−0.020Belarus0.0150.8083,213Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3000.198Belgium0.2500.9161,414Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.091−0.002Bolivia0.0450.6931,778Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.019−0.069Bosnia Herzegovina−0.0250.7682,298Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1040.039Brazil0.0710.7593,642Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.2870.210Bulgaria0.2490.8132,773Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.043−0.078Burkina Faso−0.0170.4231,058Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.3190.260Canada0.2900.9265,629North America
    economic0.3080.206Chile0.2580.8432,103Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.0680.012Colombia0.0400.7475,016Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.066−0.025Croatia0.0210.8312,352Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.036−0.040Cyprus−0.0020.8693,266Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.4020.345Czechia0.3740.8883,991Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.4880.430Denmark0.4600.9294,679Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.043−0.040Ecuador0.0020.7522,238Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.2200.147Egypt0.1840.6964,238Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.2940.228Estonia0.2610.8713,302Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2760.192Ethiopia0.2340.4631,917Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.4700.405Finland0.4380.9202,932Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3730.312France0.3430.9013,827Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.0670.002Georgia0.0340.7804,227Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2170.168Germany0.1920.9368,683Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2970.211Ghana0.2540.5922,333Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.2350.150Greece0.1930.8702,184Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.099−0.013Guatemala0.0430.6501,213Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.018−0.071Haiti−0.0270.4981,944Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.018−0.047Hong Kong SAR−0.0140.9333,946East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.030−0.039Hungary−0.0040.8383,447Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.5320.463Iceland0.4990.9352,307Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.0850.031India0.0580.6405,436South Asia
    economic0.073−0.002Indonesia0.0350.6944,061East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.069−0.057Iraq0.0060.685975Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.147−0.010Ireland0.0690.938687Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2750.210Italy0.2420.8803,509Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1360.070Japan0.1030.9093,446East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.1490.047Kazakhstan0.0980.8001,500Europe & Central Asia
    economic−0.039−0.153Kenya−0.0960.5901,161Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.1600.059Kyrgyzstan0.1100.6721,461Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1140.025Latvia0.0690.8472,056Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.036−0.100Lebanon−0.0320.757834Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.042−0.059Libya−0.0080.7062,447Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.1470.054Lithuania0.1010.8581,871Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2210.100Luxembourg0.1610.9041,257Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.007−0.070Malaysia−0.0320.8022,613East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.080−0.042Maldives0.0190.7171,023South Asia
    economic0.075−0.041Mali0.0170.4271,147Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.3300.187Malta0.2600.878750Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.045−0.012Mexico0.0160.7744,752Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.1500.053Moldova0.1020.7001,651Europe & Central Asia
    economic−0.104−0.205Mongolia−0.1550.7411,613East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.017−0.102Montenegro−0.0430.8141,250Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1390.050Morocco0.0950.6671,909Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.4130.373Netherlands0.3930.9317,741Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.5040.421New Zealand0.4640.9171,372East Asia & Pacific
    economic−0.001−0.134Nicaragua−0.0680.658871Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.045−0.037Nigeria0.0040.5322,927Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.070−0.030North Macedonia0.0200.7571,759Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3760.222Northern Ireland0.3010.922760Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.4760.419Norway0.4480.9533,148Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2040.090Pakistan0.1480.5621,200South Asia
    economic0.045−0.100Palestine−0.0270.686727Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.1010.031Peru0.0660.7503,280Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.0880.000Philippines0.0440.6992,389East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.033−0.034Poland0.0000.8653,718Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1730.064Portugal0.1190.8471,895Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1380.078Romania0.1080.8114,705Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.0970.031Russia0.0640.8164,564Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1460.069Rwanda0.1080.5242,552Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.044−0.031Serbia0.0070.7873,746Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.003−0.093Singapore−0.0450.9321,743East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.1630.087Slovakia0.1250.8553,336Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.003−0.068Slovenia−0.0330.8963,138Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.0800.012South Africa0.0460.6995,541Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic0.065−0.016South Korea0.0240.9033,637East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.2250.166Spain0.1960.8914,200Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.6120.569Sweden0.5910.9334,213Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3680.318Switzerland0.3430.9445,154Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1650.054Tajikistan0.1100.6501,200Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.0700.005Thailand0.0370.7553,758East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.104−0.014Trinidad and Tobago0.0450.7841,211Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.019−0.076Tunisia−0.0290.7351,682Middle East & North Africa
    economic0.1030.053Turkey0.0780.7916,325Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.1190.033Ukraine0.0760.7514,667Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.3900.338United Kingdom0.3640.9226,124Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.4370.385United States0.4110.9245,866North America
    economic0.2520.171Uruguay0.2120.8042,571Latin America & Caribbean
    economic−0.049−0.207Uzbekistan−0.1290.710591Europe & Central Asia
    economic0.2970.191Venezuela0.2450.7611,190Latin America & Caribbean
    economic0.1550.051Vietnam0.1030.6941,376East Asia & Pacific
    economic0.1400.014Zambia0.0770.588948Sub-Saharan Africa
    economic−0.036−0.126Zimbabwe−0.0810.5352,627Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.065−0.030Albania0.0180.7852,220Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.003−0.173Algeria−0.0890.754521Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.2540.161Andorra0.2080.8581,821Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2080.119Argentina0.1640.8252,240Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.063−0.012Armenia0.0260.7553,780Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2520.184Australia0.2180.9394,430East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.2260.146Austria0.1860.9082,681Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.016−0.078Azerbaijan−0.0310.7572,138Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2230.113Bangladesh0.1680.6081,200South Asia
    moral0.022−0.048Belarus−0.0130.8083,202Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1330.025Belgium0.0790.9161,419Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.047−0.046Bolivia0.0000.6931,780Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.1680.082Bosnia Herzegovina0.1250.7682,285Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1230.057Brazil0.0900.7593,624Latin America & Caribbean
    moral−0.036−0.119Bulgaria−0.0780.8132,709Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.029−0.147Burkina Faso−0.0880.4231,084Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.3180.259Canada0.2890.9265,604North America
    moral0.1920.084Chile0.1380.8432,077Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.1630.109Colombia0.1360.7475,015Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.3740.293Croatia0.3340.8312,358Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1280.052Cyprus0.0900.8693,262Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.073−0.139Czechia−0.1060.8883,909Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1600.088Denmark0.1240.9294,701Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.000−0.082Ecuador−0.0410.7522,235Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.006−0.065Estonia−0.0300.8713,240Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.065−0.153Ethiopia−0.1090.4631,902Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.1990.120Finland0.1600.9202,910Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2200.153France0.1870.9013,818Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.0950.030Georgia0.0630.7804,271Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1840.135Germany0.1590.9368,668Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.039−0.130Ghana−0.0850.5922,324Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.3270.246Greece0.2870.8702,188Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1180.006Guatemala0.0620.6501,213Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.060−0.029Haiti0.0150.4981,932Latin America & Caribbean
    moral−0.023−0.088Hong Kong SAR−0.0560.9333,955East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.1240.056Hungary0.0900.8383,448Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2000.110Iceland0.1550.9352,306Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.030−0.023India0.0030.6405,618South Asia
    moral0.017−0.058Indonesia−0.0200.6944,086East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.1940.070Iraq0.1320.685968Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.2950.143Ireland0.2210.938665Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2080.141Italy0.1750.8803,452Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1730.107Japan0.1400.9093,354East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.092−0.011Kazakhstan0.0410.8001,500Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1610.045Kenya0.1030.5901,127Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.2250.126Kyrgyzstan0.1760.6721,459Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.065−0.025Latvia0.0200.8472,028Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.069−0.066Lebanon0.0020.757837Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.044−0.053Libya−0.0050.7062,514Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.085−0.010Lithuania0.0380.8581,829Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2910.174Luxembourg0.2340.9041,254Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1250.049Malaysia0.0870.8022,613East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.2260.107Maldives0.1670.7171,023South Asia
    moral0.078−0.041Mali0.0180.4271,081Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.2360.087Malta0.1620.878751Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.0840.027Mexico0.0560.7744,734Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.027−0.071Moldova−0.0220.7001,638Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.061−0.041Mongolia0.0100.7411,613East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.1480.030Montenegro0.0890.8141,250Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.078−0.012Morocco0.0330.6671,904Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.1800.135Netherlands0.1580.9317,801Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2400.138New Zealand0.1900.9171,352East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.009−0.123Nicaragua−0.0570.658871Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.045−0.037Nigeria0.0040.5322,928Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.1240.025North Macedonia0.0750.7571,763Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.3310.171Northern Ireland0.2530.922749Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1570.086Norway0.1220.9533,142Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2060.092Pakistan0.1500.5621,200South Asia
    moral0.1600.015Palestine0.0880.686725Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.024−0.064Peru−0.0200.7502,183Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.046−0.042Philippines0.0020.6992,389East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.3150.253Poland0.2840.8653,646Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.099−0.012Portugal0.0430.8471,915Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.029−0.090Romania−0.0590.8114,615Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.026−0.041Russia−0.0070.8164,507Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.034−0.044Rwanda−0.0050.5242,554Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.1070.031Serbia0.0690.7873,654Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2240.131Singapore0.1780.9321,737East Asia & Pacific
    moral−0.001−0.079Slovakia−0.0410.8553,260Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.3300.265Slovenia0.2980.8963,127Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.033−0.100South Africa−0.0670.6995,512Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.2410.163South Korea0.2020.9033,637East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.3510.296Spain0.3230.8914,220Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.0820.016Sweden0.0490.9334,155Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.2270.173Switzerland0.2000.9445,159Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.026−0.087Tajikistan−0.0300.6501,200Europe & Central Asia
    moral−0.006−0.070Thailand−0.0380.7553,751East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.044−0.075Trinidad and Tobago−0.0150.7841,206Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.1320.038Tunisia0.0850.7351,696Middle East & North Africa
    moral0.2120.164Turkey0.1880.7916,427Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.057−0.032Ukraine0.0120.7514,550Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.1990.140United Kingdom0.1700.9226,116Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.3970.342United States0.3700.9245,823North America
    moral0.2350.153Uruguay0.1940.8042,600Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.073−0.085Uzbekistan−0.0060.710615Europe & Central Asia
    moral0.079−0.034Venezuela0.0220.7611,190Latin America & Caribbean
    moral0.1800.076Vietnam0.1280.6941,381East Asia & Pacific
    moral0.095−0.032Zambia0.0320.588945Sub-Saharan Africa
    moral0.022−0.069Zimbabwe−0.0240.5352,626Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.1800.087Albania0.1340.7852,209Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.062−0.107Algeria−0.0220.754536Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.2620.170Andorra0.2170.8581,813Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2620.176Argentina0.2190.8252,326Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.0750.001Armenia0.0380.7553,758Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2300.161Australia0.1960.9394,456East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.1680.088Austria0.1280.9082,710Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.090−0.004Azerbaijan0.0430.7572,152Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.062−0.051Bangladesh0.0060.6081,200South Asia
    religious0.1070.036Belarus0.0720.8083,186Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1740.067Belgium0.1210.9161,421Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.0980.006Bolivia0.0520.6931,803Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.2350.150Bosnia Herzegovina0.1930.7682,269Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1240.059Brazil0.0920.7593,673Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.0930.009Bulgaria0.0510.8132,670Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.024−0.094Burkina Faso−0.0350.4231,109Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.2840.224Canada0.2540.9265,628North America
    religious0.1460.037Chile0.0920.8432,085Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.1440.090Colombia0.1170.7475,005Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.3990.320Croatia0.3600.8312,354Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1120.036Cyprus0.0740.8693,279Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.048−0.020Czechia0.0140.8883,856Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1000.027Denmark0.0640.9294,678Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.0880.005Ecuador0.0470.7522,243Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.039−0.039Egypt0.0000.6962,721Middle East & North Africa
    religious−0.025−0.096Estonia−0.0610.8713,216Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1570.069Ethiopia0.1130.4631,914Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.2270.148Finland0.1880.9202,897Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2170.151France0.1840.9013,845Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.0830.018Georgia0.0510.7804,283Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1630.113Germany0.1380.9368,654Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.073−0.019Ghana0.0270.5922,330Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.3290.247Greece0.2890.8702,118Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1140.002Guatemala0.0590.6501,211Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.054−0.035Haiti0.0100.4981,929Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.0900.024Hong Kong SAR0.0570.9333,801East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.1870.119Hungary0.1530.8383,432Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1740.083Iceland0.1290.9352,299Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1500.099India0.1250.6405,785South Asia
    religious0.1030.029Indonesia0.0660.6944,082East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.1350.010Iraq0.0730.685978Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.2950.145Ireland0.2210.938682Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2260.160Italy0.1930.8803,515Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1630.097Japan0.1300.9093,386East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.1590.057Kazakhstan0.1080.8001,500Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.020−0.095Kenya−0.0380.5901,160Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.2330.134Kyrgyzstan0.1840.6721,458Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.0990.009Latvia0.0540.8472,033Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1740.040Lebanon0.1080.757834Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.079−0.016Libya0.0320.7062,594Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.1620.068Lithuania0.1150.8581,812Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.3270.213Luxembourg0.2710.9041,261Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1840.109Malaysia0.1470.8022,613East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.1520.031Maldives0.0920.7171,023South Asia
    religious0.072−0.044Mali0.0140.4271,140Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.145−0.006Malta0.0700.878770Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.1270.070Mexico0.0990.7744,781Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.096−0.001Moldova0.0480.7001,657Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2510.152Mongolia0.2020.7411,611East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.2050.087Montenegro0.1460.8141,218Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.084−0.006Morocco0.0390.6671,914Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.1480.102Netherlands0.1250.9317,785Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1810.077New Zealand0.1300.9171,361East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.084−0.048Nicaragua0.0180.658871Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.0850.003Nigeria0.0440.5322,929Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.1380.038North Macedonia0.0880.7571,729Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2430.079Northern Ireland0.1620.922763Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1290.058Norway0.0930.9533,144Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2230.110Pakistan0.1670.5621,200South Asia
    religious0.1610.016Palestine0.0890.686728Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.1100.041Peru0.0760.7503,339Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.1170.029Philippines0.0730.6992,388East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.3110.249Poland0.2800.8653,703Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.2010.093Portugal0.1470.8471,954Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.037−0.023Romania0.0070.8114,728Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1420.074Russia0.1080.8164,411Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.036−0.042Rwanda−0.0030.5242,554Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.1170.041Serbia0.0790.7873,715Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1530.058Singapore0.1060.9321,740East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.026−0.053Slovakia−0.0140.8553,257Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.3590.296Slovenia0.3280.8963,098Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1080.041South Africa0.0750.6995,568Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.0990.018South Korea0.0590.9033,631East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.3860.333Spain0.3600.8914,244Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.059−0.007Sweden0.0260.9334,155Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1220.066Switzerland0.0940.9445,138Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.3240.219Tajikistan0.2720.6501,200Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.049−0.017Thailand0.0160.7553,656East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.083−0.036Trinidad and Tobago0.0230.7841,210Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.1590.065Tunisia0.1130.7351,681Middle East & North Africa
    religious0.2380.190Turkey0.2140.7916,438Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1450.058Ukraine0.1020.7514,601Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.1520.092United Kingdom0.1220.9226,155Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.3130.254United States0.2840.9245,858North America
    religious0.2410.160Uruguay0.2010.8042,586Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.2650.113Uzbekistan0.1900.710615Europe & Central Asia
    religious0.019−0.094Venezuela−0.0370.7611,190Latin America & Caribbean
    religious0.1390.034Vietnam0.0860.6941,373East Asia & Pacific
    religious0.043−0.085Zambia−0.0210.588946Sub-Saharan Africa
    religious0.003−0.088Zimbabwe−0.0420.5352,627Sub-Saharan Africa

    The dots sit at similar heights in the lower and middle thirds of countries by HDI and higher in the top third. Each dot is one country's economic loading against its HDI. The solid line is a straight line fitted across countries with its 95% band, and the dashed line joins the median loading in each third of countries. Sweden, Czechia, the United States, Poland, Spain and India are labeled. The Moral and Religious views repeat the plot for the other two axes. Values in Table 7.

    Note: Kosovo, Macau, Puerto Rico and Taiwan have loadings but no HDI in the context file and are left out of this figure.Note: Each dot shows the country estimate only. The interval of every loading is in the data table.Source: World Values Survey and European Values Study, fieldwork 2005-2023; weighted (weight, S017 within each country); countries with an effective sample of 300 or more; HDI from the country context file joined to the survey (a single value per country)

    What these loadings cannot tell you

    A loading is an association between two answers given by the same person in one interview. It does not show whether attitudes shape self-placement, self-placement shapes attitudes, or a third influence such as a party system shapes both. Waves from 2005 to 2023 are pooled inside each country, so a loading blends years, and the economic index is a weak measure whose loadings depend on which items are averaged. The scale itself may mean different things to different respondents. In a German survey with open-ended questions, the associations people attached to left and right varied with self-placement, education and region [5]. The data hold no party manifestos, expert placements of parties or vote choices, so they cannot say why the label attaches to religion in one country and to economic attitudes in another.

    Go deeper

    • The report: every estimate with its interval and sample size.
    • Tables: every figure of the report as a table.
    • World values: the explorer for this part.

    Reading paths that include this chapter:

    Data sources

    • World Values Survey and EVSWorld Values Survey and European Values Study, fieldwork 2005-2023; Human Development Index from the country context fileYears: 1981-2023 (7 unified waves) · Weights: weight (S017) within each country; every country counted once across countries · License: Free download with registration; users must cite the release.
    • European Social SurveyEuropean Social Survey rounds 3 to 11 (rounds 4 and 8 for the welfare items), countries also in the WVS/EVSYears: 2002-2023 (rounds 1 to 11; round 11 was fielded in 2023 and 2024) · Weights: weight (analysis weight) within each country · License: Open access after free registration in the ESS Data Portal; follow the ESS data citation requirements.

    All data sources

    References

    1. Knutsen, Oddbjorn (1995). Value Orientations, Political Conflicts and Left-Right Identification: A Comparative Study. European Journal of Political Research 28(1): 63-93. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6765.1995.tb00487.x
    2. Malka, Ariel; Lelkes, Yphtach; Soto, Christopher J. (2019). Are Cultural and Economic Conservatism Positively Correlated? A Large-Scale Cross-National Test. British Journal of Political Science 49(3): 1045-1069. www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-political-science/article/are-cultural-and-economic-conservatism-positively-correlated-a-largescale-crossnational-test/83AFEDEA5E004CF23631C5388E7C9F67
    3. Tavits, Margit; Letki, Natalia (2009). When Left Is Right: Party Ideology and Policy in Post-Communist Europe. American Political Science Review 103(4): 555-569.
    4. Piurko, Yuval; Schwartz, Shalom H.; Davidov, Eldad (2011). Basic Personal Values and the Meaning of Left-Right Political Orientations in 20 Countries. Political Psychology 32(4): 537-561. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9221.2011.00828.x
    5. Bauer, Paul C.; Barbera, Pablo; Ackermann, Kathrin; Venetz, Aaron (2017). Is the Left-Right Scale a Valid Measure of Ideology? Individual-Level Variation in Associations with Left and Right and Left-Right Self-Placement. Political Behavior 39(3): 553-583. doi:10.1007/s11109-016-9368-2

    How to cite

    @misc{singh2026leftandrightacrosscountries,
  author = {Singh, Vishal},
  title = {Left and right across countries},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://vishalsingh.org/politics/left-and-right-across-countries},
  note = {In The Public Mind. Published 30 September 2026.}
}