China surpasses U.S. in global favorability, poll finds

In a historic shift of international public opinion, China is now viewed more positively than the United States in most of the 36 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center. The findings, released Wednesday, mark the first time in the roughly 20 years that Pew has tracked global attitudes that China has outpaced the U.S. in favorability.

The survey, which polled 42,151 adults between February 8 and May 13, 2026, reveals that the U.S. image has deteriorated significantly, with some metrics hitting or nearing historic lows. While majorities in most surveyed nations now favor China over the U.S., the United States remains more favorably viewed in only six countries: India, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Israel, and Poland.

A Widespread Shift Among U.S. Allies

The decline in U.S. standing is particularly notable among its long-term allies. In countries such as Britain, Canada, France, and Germany, public opinion has swung toward China. According to Pew data, these nations viewed the U.S. as favorably as or more positively than China as recently as last year. The trend is exemplified by Canada, where the favorability gap has reversed. By 2025, the two countries were viewed with equal favorability. The 2026 survey shows that 44% of Canadians now view China more favorably than the U.S., which stands at 33%.

Leadership Confidence and Foreign Policy

Confidence in the leaders of both superpowers remains generally low across the globe. However, when compared directly, Chinese President Xi Jinping is viewed more favorably than U.S. President Donald Trump in 22 of the countries and territories surveyed. The survey results suggest that the global shift is driven by a combination of declining perceptions of U.S. policy and improving views of China. Conversely, some respondents increasingly view China as a reliable partner. In 17 middle-income nations, more people see China as a contributor to global peace and stability than the U.S.

Persistent Concerns and the “Personal Freedoms” Gap

Despite the rise in China’s favorability, the survey highlights that international anxieties regarding Beijing remain. Many respondents continue to express concerns about China’s territorial disputes with neighbors, its influence in foreign affairs, and its government’s respect for personal freedoms. The U.S. maintains a lead in the area of personal freedoms, as more survey respondents globally believe the U.S. government respects the rights of its citizens compared to the Chinese government.

Contextualizing the Global Trend

The Pew findings are consistent with independent polling data. A 2025 report by Gallup similarly found that China had surpassed the U.S. in global approval ratings, recording the widest gap in China’s favor in two decades. In that study, median approval for U.S. leadership fell to 31%, while disapproval reached a record high of 48%.

As the U.S. and China continue to compete for global influence, the 2026 Pew survey provides a detailed look at the current geopolitical landscape:

* Survey Scope: 42,151 adults across 36 countries.
* Period: February 8 to May 13, 2026.
* Key Finding: China is viewed more positively than the U.S. in 25 of 36 countries.
* Positive U.S. Standing: Remains in only 6 nations, largely in the Asia-Pacific region and two specific allies (Israel and Poland).

The polling period overlapped with the early stages of the U.S.-led war in Iran, a factor researchers suggest may have further influenced shifting attitudes as the conflict progressed.

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